and with a curious
look at his chum.

"Oh, no special reason. But you know Captain Marsh, of the troop in
which my uncle, Sergeant Duncan, was enlisted, said he had rounded up
several bands of 'em, and I was just thinking that----"

"That maybe there were some more running around loose that we could make
pictures of; is that it, Joe?"

"Well, yes. You know that society offered a prize of a thousand dollars
for the best reel of ceremonial dances, but there were smaller prizes
for ordinary pictures of Indians in various activities. I thought maybe
we could get some of those."

"I'm afraid not--not on this trip, at least," spoke Blake. "I don't
believe there is ten feet of unexposed film left, and that wouldn't make
much of a reel. We used up all we brought with us making those cowboy
pictures, the forest fire and the time the bear chased Hank, besides the
Indian views. Nothing more doing in the camera line until we get back to
Flagstaff."

"Oh, well, I was just wondering," spoke Joe, and he gazed off across the
uneven stretch of country. But there was that in his voice and glance
which did not bear out his unconcerned words.

However, Blake was too much occupied in getting supper just then to pay
much attention to his chum, for the lad was hungry--as, indeed, his
companions also seemed to be, for they attacked the simple provender
with eagerness when Hank announced that it was ready.

The evening was setting in when they had finished, and, bringing up a
pail of fresh water, in case they should get thirsty during the hours of
darkness, and placing the saddles and packs in a compact mass, the three
proceeded to spend the night in the open.

And yet not exactly without shelter, either, for they had with them
small dog-tents, as they are called, that afford considerable protection
against the night winds and dew. And, with a fire glowing at their
feet, the travelers were far from being uncomfortable.

A pile of wood had been collected near the blaze, and while nothing was
said about standing watch, it was understood that if any of them roused
in the night he was to pile fuel on the embers, not only to keep up the
genial heat, but to drive off any prowling beasts that might try to raid
their stock of provisions.

"Well, I'm going to turn in," finally announced Blake. "I'm dead tired."

"And I'm with you," added Joe.

Hank said nothing, but the boys watched him as he walked some little
distance from the camp, to