ong the dips and swells, and
the long lone howl of a lonesome coyote.

"We've slipped through 'em! By the great horn spoon, we've slipped
through 'em!" said the Panther exultantly. "Now, boys, we'll take to the
water here to throw 'em off our track, when they try to follow it in the
mornin'."

The creek was now about three feet in depth and flowing slowly like most
streams in that region, but over a bed of hard sand, where the trace of
a footstep would quickly vanish.

"The water is likely to be cold," said the Panther, "an' if any fellow
is afraid of it he can stay behind and consort with the Mexicans who
don't care much for water."

"Lead on, Macduff," said Obed, "and there's nobody who will cry 'hold,
enough.'"

The Panther waded directly into the middle of the stream, and all the
others followed. The horses, splashing the water, made some noise, but
they were not so careful in that particular now since they had put a
mile between themselves and the grove. In fact, the Panther urged them
to greater speed, careless of the sounds, and they kept in the water for
a full two miles further. Then they quit the stream at a point where the
soil seemed least likely to leave traces of their footsteps, and stood
for a little while upon the prairie, resting and shivering. Then they
started at a rapid pace across the country, pushing for the Rio Grande
until noon. Then Fields stalked and shot an antelope, with which they
renewed their supply of food. In the afternoon it rained heavily, but by
dark they reached the Rio Grande, across which they made a dangerous
passage, as the waters had risen, and stood once more on the soil of
Texas.

"Thank God!" said Will.

"Thank God!" repeated Ned.

Then they looked for shelter, which all felt they must have.

CHAPTER IV

THE CABIN IN THE WOODS

It proved a difficult matter to find shelter. All the members of the
little group were wet and cold, and a bitter wind with snow began to
whistle once more across the plain. But every one strove to be cheerful
and the relief that their escape had brought was still a tonic to their
spirits. Yet they were not without comment upon their condition.

"I've seen hard winters in Maine," said Obed White, "but there you were
ready for them. Here it tricks you with warm sunshine and then with
snow. You suffer from surprise."

"We've got to find a cabin," said the Panther.

"Why not make it a whole city with a fine big hotel right in t