it!

There is a haze overhanging the river, as gauze thrown over a piece of
silver plate. It is that white filmy mist which enlarges objects beyond
their natural size, producing the mystery of _mirage_. By its
magnifying effect the horses, as their riders, appear of gigantic
dimensions; the former seeming Mastodons, the latter Titans bestriding
them!

Both appear beings not of Earth, but creatures of some weird
wonder-world--existences not known to our planet, or only in ages past!

CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN.

PLANNING A CAPTURE.

Speechless with surprise, the two men stand gazing at the odd
apparition; with something more than surprise, a supernatural feeling,
not unmingled with fear. Such strange unearthly sight were enough to
beget this in the stoutest hearts; and, though none stouter than theirs,
for a time both are awed by it.

Only so long as the spectral equestrians were within the shadow of the
trees on the opposite side. But soon as arriving at mid-stream the
mystery is at an end; like most others, simple when understood. Their
forms, outlined against the moonlit surface of the water, show a very
natural phenomenon--two horses carrying double.

Woodley is the first to announce it, though Clancy has made the
discovery at the same instant of time.

"Injuns!" says the backwoodsman, speaking in a whisper. "Two astride o'
each critter. Injuns, for sure. See the feathers stickin' up out o'
their skulls! Them on the krupper look like squaws; though that's
kewrous too. Out on these Texas parayras the Injun weemen hez generally
a hoss to theirselves, an' kin ride 'most as well as the men. What seem
queerier still is thar bein' only two kupple; but maybe there's more
comin' on ahint. An' yet thar don't appear to be. I don't see stime o'
anythin' on tother side the river. Kin you?"

"No. I think there's but the two. They'd be looking back if there were
others behind. What ought we to do with them?"

"What every white man oughter do meetin' Injuns out hyar--gie 'em a wide
berth: that's the best way."

"It may not in this case; I don't think it is."

"Why?"

"On my word, I scarce know. And yet I have an idea we ought to have a
word with them. Likely they've been up to the settlement and will be
able to tell us something of things there. As you know, Sime, I'm
anxious to hear about--"

"I know all that. Wal, ef you're so inclined, let it be as ye say. We
kin eezy stop 'em, an' hear wha