waits long enough,"
said Obed White soberly.

"We'll jest set the day through," said the Panther, "an' see what turns
up."

But the day was quite peaceful. It was warmer than usual and bright with
sunshine. The Mexicans appeared on some of the knolls, seemingly near in
the thin clear air, but far enough away to be out of rifle shot, and
began to play cards or loll on their serapes. Several went to sleep.

"They mean to show us that they have all the time in the world," said
Ned to Will, "and that they are willing to wait until we fall like ripe
apples into their hands."

"Do you think they will get us again?" asked Will anxiously.

"I don't. We've got food for two days and I believe that something will
happen in our favor within that time. Do you notice, Will, that it's
beginning to cloud up again? In winter you can't depend upon bright
sunshine to last always. I think we're going to have a dark night and
it's given me an idea."

"What is it?"

"I won't tell you, because it may amount to nothing. It all depends upon
what kind of night we have."

The sun did not return. The clouds banked up more heavily, and in the
afternoon Ned went to the Panther. They talked together earnestly,
looking frequently at the skies, and the faces of both expressed
satisfaction. Then they entered the bed of the creek and examined it
critically. Will was watching them. When the two separated and Ned came
toward him, he said:

"I can guess your idea now. We mean to escape to-night up the bed of the
creek."

Ned nodded.

"Your first guess is good," he said. "If the promise of a dark night
keeps up we're going to try."

The promise was fulfilled. The Mexicans made no hostile movement
throughout the afternoon, but they maintained a rigid watch.

When the sun had set and the thick night had come down the Panther told
of the daring enterprise they were about to undertake, and all approved.
By nine o'clock the darkness was complete, and the little band gathered
at the point where the path was cut down into the bed of the creek. It
was likely that Mexicans were on all sides of the grove, but the Panther
did not believe that any of them, owing to bitter experience, would
enter the cut made by the stream. But, as leader, he insisted upon the
least possible noise. The greatest difficulty would be with the horses.
Ned, at the head of Old Jack, led the way.

Old Jack made the descent without slipping and in a few minutes the
entire for