cowboys, had occurred to him more than once, though it would
seem that it was altogether too much to look for any such good fortune
as that.

"If I can only get clear of the parties, who seem to be everywhere," was
his thought, "I will run all the way to camp and bring the boys back in
a twinkling."

He could have drawn Thunderbolt to him by a single emission of the
well-known signal, but such an attempt would have been the before the
mustang, even if he was not already in their possession, and the act
would secure the capture of rider and steed beyond peradventure.

"Can it be that my flight is unsuspected?" he asked himself, while he
crouched on the ground, uncertain which way to move, and yet feeling
that something of the kind must be done.

It was useless to speculate, and, since his foes appeared to be directly
in his front, he turned to the right, and began gliding slowly forward,
fearful that the beating of his heart would betray him at every inch.

But the marvellous good fortune which had attended him thus far was not
quite ready to desert him. With a care and caution beyond description,
he advanced foot by foot until he drew a deep sigh of relief at the
knowledge that that particular group of red men was no longer in front,
but to the left and somewhat to the rear.

"If there are no more," he thought, "it begins to look as if I might
succeed after all."

But his rejoicing was premature. Not only did he catch the sound of a
horse's hoofs, but they were directly before him, and coming as
straight for the spot where he was crouching as if the animal were
following a mathematical line.

One of the Comanches was riding through the mesquite bush, and if the
youth stayed where he was he must be trampled by the mustang, unless the
animal was frightened into leaping aside and thus betraying him to his
master.

"Very well," muttered Avon, "if it comes to _that_, I know how to manage
you."

As the thought passed through his mind, he reached to his holster and
drew his revolver.

At this moment the steed halted, though he gave no sniff or sign that he
had learned of the stranger so close in front. Believing a collision
inevitable, Avon straightened up, with his weapon firmly grasped.

But before he could use it the rider slipped to the ground, and the next
moment drew a match along the side of his leggings. As the tiny flame
shone out in the gloom, he held it up in front of his face to light the
cigarette