rt! you're wanted once
more."

Saying this, he lets the hound ahead, still keeping hold of the cord.

Before long, Brasfort shows signs that he has again caught scent. His
ears crisp up, while his whole body quivers along the spinal column from
neck to tail. There is a streak of the bloodhound in the animal; and
never did dog of this kind make after a man, who more deserved hunting
by a hound.

CHAPTER SIXTY NINE.

SHADOWS BEHIND.

When once more upon the trail of the man he intends killing, Clancy
keeps on after his hound, with eager eyes watching every movement of the
animal. That Brasfort is dead upon the scent can be told by his excited
action, and earnest whimpering.

All at once he is checked up, his master drawing him back with sudden
abruptness.

The dog appears surprised at first, so does Jupiter. The latter,
looking round, discovers the cause: something which moves upon the
plain, already observed by Clancy. Not clearly seen, for it is still
dark.

"What goes yonder?" he asks, eagerly scanning it, with hands over his
eyes.

"It don't go, Masser Charle, whatever it is. Dat thing 'pears comin'."

"You're right. It is moving in this direction. A dust-cloud; something
made it. Ah! horses! Are there men on their backs? No. Bah! it's but
a drove of mustangs. I came near taking them for Comanches; not that we
need care. Just now the red gentry chance to be tied by a treaty, and
are not likely to harm us. We've more to fear from fellows with white
skins. Yes, the wild horses are heading our way; scouring along as if
all the Indians in Texas were after them. What does that signify?
Something, I take it."

Jupiter cannot say. He is, as he has confessed, inexperienced upon the
prairies, ill understanding their "sign." However well acquainted with
the craft of the forest, up in everything pertaining to timber, upon the
treeless plains of Texas, an old prairie man would sneeringly pronounce
him a "greenhorn."

Clancy, knowing this, scarce expects reply; or, if so, with little hope
of explanation.

He does not wait for it, having himself discovered why the wild horses
are going at such a rate. Besides the dust stirred up by their hooves,
is another cloud rising in the sky beyond. The black belt just looming
along the horizon proclaims the approach of a "norther." The scared
horses are heading southward, in the hope to escape it.

They come in full career towards the spot where t