were at least four men in the party pursued, two of them Indian
warriors, the two whites, desperate characters. Without doubt they
would put up a fierce fight, or, if warned in time, could easily
scatter and disappear.

"Of course you are right, Sam," he replied promptly. "Only I am so
afraid of what may happen to Miss Molly."

"Forget it. Thar's nuthin' goin' ter happen to her while the bunch is
on the move. If that outfit was all Injun, or all white, maybe thar
might. But the way it is they'll never agree on nuthin', 'cept how to
git away. 'T ain't likely they ever meant ter kill the Major, 'er take
the girl erlong. Them things just naturally happened, an' now they 're
scared stiff. It 'll take a day er two for 'em to make up their minds
what to do."

"What do you imagine they will decide, Sam?"

"Wall, thet 's all guesswork. But I reckon I know what I 'd do if I
was in thet sort o' fix an' bein' chased fer murder an' robbery. I 'd
take the easy way; make fer the nearest Injun village, an' leave the
girl thar."

"You mean Black Kettle's camp?"

"I reckon; he 's down thar on the Canadian somewhar. You kin bet those
fellars know whar, an' thet's whut they 're aimin' for, unless this
yere Dupont has some hidin' out scheme of his own. Whar did you say he
ranched?"

"Buffalo Creek."

"Thet's the same neighborhood; must've been in cahoots with those red
devils to have ever run cattle in thar. We 've got to head 'em off
afore they git down into that kintry, er we won't have no scalps to go
back home with. Let's mosey erlong, boys."

The day grew dark and murky as they moved steadily forward, the wind
blew cold from out the northwest, the heavy canopy of cloud settled
lower in a frosty fog, which gradually obscured the landscape. This
mist became so thick that the men could scarcely see a hundred yards in
any direction, and Hamlin placed a pocket compass on his saddle-pommel.
The trail was less distinct as they traversed a wide streak of alkali,
but what few signs remained convinced Wasson that the fugitives were
still together, and riding southward. Under concealment of the fog his
previous caution relaxed, and he led the way at a steady trot, only
occasionally drawing rein to make certain there was no division of the
party ahead. The alkali powdered them from head to foot, clinging to
the horses' hides, reddening and blinding the eyes, poisoning the lips
dry and parched with thirst. The two t