be bound," he cried.

"Yes, you will," said the Ring Tailed Panther. "I ain't goin' to hurt
you, 'cause I'm pretty handy at that sort of thing, but I'll tie you so
you won't get loose in a hurry. Better set down an' take it easy."

Urrea, after the single flash of anger, sat down, and resuming his
careless air, held out his hands.

"Since you intend to act like barbarians as well as fools," he said, "I
will not seek to impede you."

None of the three replied. The Ring Tailed Panther handily tied his
wrists together, and then his ankles, but in such fashion that he could
still sit in comfort, leaning against the tree, although the pleasure of
the cigarette was no longer for him.

"If you don't mind," he said, "I think I shall go to sleep."

"No objections a-tall, a-tall," said the Ring Tailed Panther. "Have nice
dreams."

Urrea closed his eyes, and his chest soon rose and fell in the regular
manner of one who sleeps. Ned could not tell whether he really slept. A
feeling of compassion for Urrea rose again in his heart. What if he
should be telling the truth after all? Wild and improbable tales
sometimes came true. He was about to speak of his thoughts to the men,
but he checked himself. Disbelief was returning. It was best to take
every precaution.

"You go to sleep, Ned," said Obed. "You've done a good job and you are
entitled to a rest. The Panther and I will watch till day."

Ned lay down between his blankets and everything was so still that
contrary to his expectations, he fell asleep, and did not awaken again
until after dawn, when Obed told him that they would resume the march,
eating their breakfast as they went. Urrea was unbound, although he was
first searched carefully for concealed weapons.

"I wouldn't have a man to ride with his arms tied," said the Ring Tailed
Panther, "but we'll keep on both sides of you an' you needn't try to
make a bolt of it, Urrea."

"I shall not try to make any bolt of it," said Urrea scornfully, "but
you will pay dearly to Austin and Houston for the indignity that you
have put upon me."

The Ring Tailed Panther, true to his principle of never taunting a
prisoner, did not reply, and they mounted. The Panther rode ahead and
Obed and Ned, with Urrea between them, followed. Urrea was silent, his
face melancholy and reproachful.

The belt of timber extended only a few hundred yards farther, when they
came upon the open prairie extending to the horizon. Far to the left
some