ains him.

"Who can it be?" he asks himself with mingled hope and apprehension.
"Woodley would not be coming in that way, alone? If not some of the
settlers, at least Heywood would be along with him? Besides, there is
scarce time for them to have reached the Mission and returned. It
cannot be either. Jupiter? Has he escaped from the custody of the
outlawed crew?"

Clancy is accustomed to seeing the mulatto upon a mule. This man rides
a horse, and otherwise looks not like Jupiter. It is not he. Who,
then?

During all this time the horseman is drawing nearer, though slowly.
When first heard, the tramp told him to be going at a gallop; but he has
slackened speed, and now makes approach, apparently with caution, as if
reconnoitring. He has descried the jackals, and comes to see what they
are gathered about. These having retreated, Clancy can perceive that
the eyes of the stranger are fixed upon his own head, and that he is
evidently puzzled to make out what it is.

For a moment the man makes stop, then moves on, coming closer and
closer. With the moon behind his back, his face is in shadow, and
cannot be seen by Clancy. But it is not needed for his identification.
The dress and figure are sufficient. Cut sharply against the sky is the
figure of a plumed savage; a sham one Clancy knows, with a thrill of
fresh despair, recognising Richard Darke.

It will soon be all over with him now; in another instant his hopes,
doubts, fears, will be alike ended, with his life. He has no thought
but that Darke, since last seen, has been in communication with
Borlasse; and from him learning all, has, returned for the life he
failed to take before.

Meanwhile the plumed horseman continues to approach, till within less
than a length of his horse. Then drawing bridle with a jerk, suddenly
comes to a stop. Clancy can see, that he is struck with astonishment--
his features, now near enough to be distinguished, wearing a bewildered
look. Then hears his own name called out, a shriek succeeding; the
horse wheeled round, and away, as if Satan had hold of his tail!

For a long time is heard the tramp of the retreating horse going in full
fast gallop--gradually less distinct--at length dying away in the
distance.

CHAPTER SEVENTY NINE.

AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR.

To Clancy there is nothing strange in Darke's sudden and terrified
departure. With the quickness of thought itself, he comprehends its
cause. In their encoun