d
from the rear. Nas Ta Bega led, and his mustang kept at his heels.
One misstep would have plunged the animal to his death. But he was
surefooted and his confidence helped the others. At the apex of the
curve the only course led away from the rim, and here there was no
level. Four of the mustangs slipped and slid down the smooth rock until
they stopped in a shallow depression. It cost time to get them out, to
straighten pack and saddles. Shefford thought he heard a yell in the
rear, but he could not see anything of the gang.

They rounded this precipice only to face a worse one. Shefford's nerve
was sorely tried when he saw steep slants everywhere, all apparently
leading down into chasms, and no place a man, let alone a horse, could
put a foot with safety. Nevertheless the imperturbable Indian never
slacked his pace. Always he appeared to find a way, and he never had to
turn back. His winding course, however, did not now cover much distance
in a straight line, and herein lay the greatest peril. Any moment Shadd
and his men might come within range.

Upon a particularly tedious and dangerous side of rocky hill the
fugitives lost so much time that Shefford grew exceedingly alarmed.
Still, they accomplished it without accident, and their pursuers did not
heave in sight. Perhaps they were having trouble in a bad place.

The afternoon was waning. The red sun hung low above the yellow mesa to
the left, and there was a perceptible shading of light.

At last Nas Ta Bega came to a place that halted him. It did not look
so bad as places they had successfully passed. Yet upon closer study
Shefford did not see how they were to get around the neck of the gully
at their feet. Presently the Indian put the bridle over the head of his
mustang and left him free. He did likewise for two more mustangs, while
Lassiter and Shefford rendered a like service to theirs. Then the Indian
started down, with his mustang following him. The pack-animal came next,
then Fay and Nack-yal, then Lassiter and his mount, with Jane and hers
next, and Shefford last. They followed the Indian, picking their steps
swiftly, looking nowhere except at the stone under their feet. The right
side of the chasm was rimmed, the curve at the head crossed, and then
the real peril of this trap had to be faced. It was a narrow slant of
ledge, doubling back parallel with the course already traversed.

A sharp warning cry from Nas Ta Bega scarcely prepared Shefford for
hoa