mists; and then it was
a friendly wave of the arm that told how much they had appreciated the
hospitality of the saddle boys.

"Well, anyhow, it doesn't seem quite so lonely out here, after all,"
said Frank, laughing, as he and his chum settled down again.

"Why, no," added Bob, "I thought we owned the whole coop; but I take it
back. There are others abroad, it seems."

"I only hope those two fly-by-night birds don't take a notion to double
on their trail, and come back to pay us a visit," Frank remarked; and of
course Bob understood that he meant the bad men who were being rounded
up by Sheriff Stanwix, aided by the official of Coconino County.

"Perhaps we'd better douse the glim, then?" Bob suggested.

"Let it burn out," Frank remarked; "I don't believe there's much chance
of anybody else seeing it now; because it's pretty low. Our tent shows
up about as plain, come to think of it; but I don't mean to do without
shelter."

They sat there, chatting on various subjects, for some time. Of course
their mission to the region of the greatest natural wonder in the world
took a leading part in this conversation. But then they also spoke of
their recent visitors; and as Bob showed signs of considerable interest,
Frank told all he had ever heard about the valor of the Prescott
sheriff.

"I don't know how you feel about it, Bob," he said, at length, with a
yawn, "but I'm getting mighty sleepy."

"Same here; and I move we turn in," Bob immediately replied.

Accordingly, as the idea had received unanimous approval, they took a
look at the horses, now staked out with the ropes, and, finding them
comfortable, both boys crawled under the canvas.

Some hours later they were aroused suddenly by a shrill yell. As they
sat up, and groped for their rifles, not realizing what manner of peril
could be hanging over them, the loud snorting of the horses came to
their ears.

"Come on!" exclaimed Frank, in considerable excitement. "Sounds like
somebody might be bothering our mounts!"

Bob had not been so very long in the Western country; but he knew what
that meant all right. Horses were supposed to be the most valuable
possessions among men who spent their lives on the great plains and
deserts of this region. In the old days it was deemed a capital crime to
steal horses.

So Bob, shivering with excitement, but not fear, hastened to follow at
the heels of his chum, as Frank hastily crawled out of the tent.

A rather battered