en
trying to invent some excuse for not going. In fact, he doesn't want
me to go, either, and suggested that we all should return at once to
Glen West."

"Why, what was his reason?" and Glen looked her surprise.

"Reason! Did you ever know an Indian to have a reason for anything?
He acts from instinct or superstition, and the latter is what ails
Sconda now. Klota has been telling him some bosh about a presentiment
she had, that something terrible is going to happen to us out here in
the hills."

"And does Sconda believe it, too?" Glen asked, controlling her feelings
with a great effort.

"Certainly he believes it. I laughed at him, and told him that he
should have more sense than to pay any attention to such things."

"But suppose he should be right?" Glen queried. "The natives, you
know, see things at times which are not revealed to us."

"They see too many things, and that's the great trouble with them,"
Weston replied. "If they would dream less and do more it would be far
better for all concerned. I never had any faith in their fantastic
presentiments, and I am too old to change my views now. But Sconda
might as well stay with you to-day, for I do not wish to leave you
alone, and I am not anxious to have the old rascal with me with his
head filled with such nonsense."

Glen made no further reply to her father. She was well aware how
useless it would be to try to reason with him, and if she told him
about the dream and her fears he would laugh at her, and consider her
childish and foolish.

When breakfast was over, the men began to prepare for their day's trip.
This did not take them long, and soon they were all ready for their
departure. They decided to leave the horses behind, as there was no
trail, and their course would take them over several hills where riding
would be impossible. They took only their rifles, while Natsu packed
the scanty supply of food necessary for the day.

"We expect to be back by sundown," Weston informed Glen. "But should
we be delayed, do not worry as we shall be all right. We may be longer
than we imagine in reaching the place, and if we discover the gold, we
may take leave of our senses for a time and forget everything else.
But Sconda will look after you, and there is plenty of reading matter
to keep you out of mischief."

As Weston stooped and kissed his daughter, he noted that she clung to
him more tenderly than formerly, and that her body trembled slightly.