g redoubled in volume, and the restless
animals tried to break loose.

"The imps!" cried Hank. "They're trying to stampede our animals, just as
they did the cattle that time. Look out, boys!"

But nothing could be done against such numbers. The camp was overwhelmed
in a daring raid, and though the boys and Hank did all they could,
firing wildly in the air, they could not stand off the attack. Strangely
enough, no effort was made to mistreat the boys or their companion. The
Indians simply rushed over them and made for the pile of goods in the
rear of the tents. They did not even seem to be after the horses.

"Stop 'em!" cried Blake. "They'll take all our things!"

"Our cameras!" yelled Joe. "They may break 'em!"

Hank had all he could do to restrain the wild steeds, which sought to
break loose.

The rush was over almost as quickly as it had started. Off into the
darkness disappeared the Indians, their shooting and yelling growing
fainter and fainter.

"I saved the horses!" cried Hank.

"Yes, but they got a lot of our stuff!" exclaimed Blake. "Joe, throw
some wood on the fire, so we can see what is missing!"

CHAPTER III

THE PURSUIT

Blazing up brightly, after Joe had thrown some light sticks on the
embers, the fire revealed a much disordered camp. The Indians had rushed
over it as a squad of football players might tear through a rival
eleven, leaving devastation in their wake. The only consolation was that
Hank had managed to prevent the animals from stampeding, and the
possession of their ponies, in a country where foot travel is almost out
of the question, was a big factor.

"But they got almost everything else," said Blake, as he looked about
the temporary camp.

"They made for the grub, that's sure," spoke Joe. "I guess they were
hungry."

"But why they didn't try harder to make off with the horses is what I
can't understand," spoke Blake, as he continued to make an examination
of the damage done. "I thought that was what they were after."

"They were," declared Hank; "but I guess they realized that taking
horses is a pretty serious crime out here. They knew that all sorts of
efforts would be made to recapture 'em, and by men who would not be as
gentle with 'em as Uncle Sam's soldiers. So I guess they decided to pass
up the horses and only take some grub. That isn't so serious, especially
as the poor beggars are probably well-nigh starving, having been away
from their regular rations so l