I thought a couple of the boys would be
able to bring them back, and I sent them off, while the other four
looked after the main herd. Thank you," said the colonel, as he took the
hot coffee from the hand of his host.

"Well, I judge from what you said, they didn't bring back the hoofs,"
observed the captain, interested in the narrative of his friend.

"No, by George, it was worse than that. Three or four hours after the
stampede, one of the men came in sight, riding like mad. There were no
cattle with him, and he was alone. I saw that one of his hands was
bleeding badly, and he had a woful story to tell. He said he and the
other fellow were working like the mischief to turn the animals back,
and had almost succeeded, when the first they knew a dozen whooping
Comanches were right upon them.

"It was bang, bang, shoot, cut, yell, and whoop her up again, with no
thought of doing anything but save themselves. The other chap fought
like a Trojan, but his horse was killed and he went down with half the
fiends on him, fighting as long as the breath remained in his body.

"The one who came back with the news was pretty badly cut up and had the
closest kind of a call, but his horse was better than any of the others
and he managed to escape."

"Of course it was idle to think of getting your cattle after that,"
remarked the captain.

"I was so infuriated that I gathered the rest of the men, intending to
take the trail, but by the time I was ready, I became cooler, and saw
it would never do. Haven't you been troubled with the redskins?"

"Not in the manner that you have, but they stirred things up for us last
night."

Thereupon, Captain Shirril gave an account of his own experience in his
cabin. His friend listened attentively to his story, for it was
interesting. He remarked, at its conclusion, that the Indians had been
more troublesome that spring than he had ever known them. Twice, within
the preceding month, they attempted to steal a number of his cattle, but
failed in each instance, with the loss of several of their warriors.

"And in my opinion we are likely to have more trouble before we get
through the Indian country," added the colonel.

"I think so, too; it will be well for us to get not too far from each
other, for we ought to be in shape to give mutual support."

"Of course; there must be other droves on the march, and we ought to get
a twist on them that will make them squeal."

The supper being finishe