under watch through the darkness.

"No," replied Ballyhoo, "I've fixed it. You and me will take a hand
to-morrow night, when we're likely to find it a blamed sight more
unpleasant than now."

"And why so?"

"That storm that we've been talking about is holding off, as though it
finds it hard to make up its mind to come, but it will be here within
twenty hours or less."

"I am glad of it," remarked the youth, thinking of his friends in the
distant cabin, which had escaped burning by such a narrow chance.

It was now past midnight, and those who were to be off duty did not
squander the precious hours; but, crawling into the covered wagon,
bundled themselves up and slept the sleep which waits on rugged health.

At the earliest streakings of light the camp was astir. The man who
served the party as cook had no light task on his hands. He generally
carried a lot of wood in the wagon with him, for the reason that it was
not always easy to obtain, and, by doing this, he was sure of always
having enough dry fuel to burn readily when wanted.

Those Texans were satisfied at times to go without anything at all in
the way of food, or to snatch a bite by checking their mustangs long
enough to allow them to receive it, when they were off again; but
whenever the opportunity for a "square meal" presented itself, they
proved themselves full hands.

Gleeson, who acted as master during the absence of Captain Shirril,
mounted his horse and rode out to inspect the herd. He was relieved to
find them all in place. Most of them were lying down, drowsily chewing
their cuds, but a few had risen and were cropping the grass, which grew
quite abundantly in the neighborhood.

While employed in this duty, Ballyhoo cast frequent looks in the
direction of Captain Shirril's home. He expected to see their leader
before it was light, but the sun was already showing in the horizon and
he was not in sight.

The Texan galloped to the top of the adjoining elevation, from which he
could see the low flat building in the distance. Shading his eyes with
his hand, he peered long and earnestly, but without catching sight of a
horseman galloping toward him.

"It's very odd," thought Gleeson, "that he doesn't show up; something
must have taken place. I wonder if those varmints have come back after
Baby and I left last night."

It seemed impossible that anything like this should have occurred, but
it was beyond his power to explain the non-appearance of