on the step, he was wise in not permitting a minute's
unnecessary delay.

He stepped outside in the manner hinted, drawing the door gently to
after him. He did not do this until he saw that the interior was veiled
in impenetrable gloom.

He felt that everything now depended upon his being prompt, unfaltering,
and yet not rash. It may be said that the whole problem was to learn the
right step to take, and then to take it, not an instant too soon nor too
late. That, however, sums up the task of life itself, and the
knowledge was no more attainable in one instance than in the other.

Finding himself in the outer air, Avon stood a few seconds, striving, as
may be said, to get his bearings. He heard the trampling of horses'
hoofs, several guarded signals passing between the Indians, and was
quite sure he saw the shadowy outlines of a warrior moving within a few
paces of him.

While all this was not calculated to add to his comfort of body and
mind, it was pleasing to the extent that it proved his presence on the
outside was as yet neither known nor suspected. As my friend Coomer
would say, he was standing "With the World Before Him."

But he dare not think he was so much as on the edge of safety until he
reached the mesquite bush, whose location he knew so well, and whose
dark outlines were dimly discernible in front, and at the distance of
only a few rods.

The youth was thinking rapidly and hard. It seemed to him that the
Comanches would naturally keep the closest watch of the front of the
cabin, and, therefore, he was less liable to discovery if he made a dash
from another point.

This conclusion was confirmed by the sudden taking shape of not only the
figure of a horseman, but of a warrior on foot, who approached at right
angles, the two halting in such a manner just before him that he know it
was but momentary, and that they would come still nearer in a very brief
while.

So long as he stood erect, with his back against the side of the
dwelling, he was invisible to anyone who was not almost upon him.
Retaining this posture, and with the rear of his clothing brushing
against the building, he glided softly to the right until he reached the
corner.

At the moment he arrived there, he saw that the horseman had slipped
from his mustang, and he and the other warrior approached close to the
door, where, as it will be remembered, Captain Shirril heard them
talking together in low tones.

This was altogether too ne