t, so that
the two friends were in anything but a pleasant situation.

But while it looked as if the Indians must be friendly from force of
circumstances, their conduct justified the grave alarm Avon felt on
first seeing them. Perceiving they were discovered, they broke into a
rapid gallop beyond the unsuspicious Captain Shirril, spreading apart
like a fan, as if they meant to inclose him in the circle beyond
escape.

A shout from the young man caused his uncle to look around, when he
discovered what was going on. He instantly touched his animal with his
spurs and sent him swiftly toward Avon, who advanced to meet him.

"What does it mean?" asked the younger as they came together.

"It means mischief," was the reply. "I believe some of them belong to
the party that tried to burn our house."

"Then they are Comanches?"

"Every one of them--where's Shackaye?" abruptly asked the captain, as if
the naming of the tribe had recalled that interesting youth to his
mind.

"I shouldn't wonder if he were among them," replied Avon, with a certain
grim pleasure, as he recalled the faith his uncle had shown in the
savage in the face of Gleeson's warnings.

"Like enough," remarked the captain, watching the actions of the
warriors, who had diverged so far already that it was impossible for the
couple to escape in any direction without coming in collision with them;
"we've got to stand them off."

Without any appearance of alarm in his manner Captain Shirril slipped
down from his saddle, his nephew being but a few seconds behind him, and
the two coolly prepared to make a stand against the attack of the
Comanches.

CHAPTER XXX.

AT BAY.

Captain Shirril and his nephew placed their ponies beside each other,
with a space of only a few feet intervening. Then, standing on the
ground, they rested their Winchesters across the saddles, facing in
opposite directions, and were ready for the assault of the red men, who
were circling back and forth and gradually drawing nearer to them.

"Keep cool," said the captain, "and, when you fire, don't throw away a
shot."

They were a mile from camp, and, as soon as the shooting began, it ought
to attract the notice of the rest, who were sure to hurry to the spot.
There was reason to believe the Indians could be held off for a long
time, and, brave as they were, it was not to be expected that they would
maintain their ground before such a charge as the cowboys would make,
and had