is a contest of very common occurrence. The animal is
saddled, and the man is making attempts to get his leg over the saddle.
The hybrid is restive, and will not permit him to put foot in the
stirrup. Ever as he approaches it shies back, rearing and pitching to
the full length and stretch of the bridle-rein.

Soon as seeing him, they upon the ridge recognise the man thus
vexatiously engaged. He is the peon Manuel.

"The durned scoundrel," hissed Walt, through clenched teeth. "What's
kep him ahint, I wonder?"

Hamersley responds not--he, too, conjecturing.

"By Jehorum!" continues the hunter, "it looks like he'd stayed back
apurpose. Thar ked been nothin' to hinder him to go on 'long wi' the
rest. The questyun air what he's stayed for. Some trick o' trezun,
same as he's did afore."

"Something of the kind, I think," rejoins Hamersley, still considering.

"Wal, he's wantin' to get on bad enuf now, if the mule 'ud only let him.
Say, Frank, shell I put a payriud to their conflict by sendin' a bit o'
lead that way, I kin rub the varmint out by jest pressin' my finger on
this trigger."

"Do you mean the man or the mule?"

"The man, in coorse. For what shed I shoot the harmless critter that's
been carryin' him? Say the word, an' I'll send him to kingdom come in
the twinklin' o' a goat's tail. I've got sight on him. Shall I draw
the trigger?"

"For your life, don't look yonder! They're not yet out of sight. They
might see the smoke, perhaps hear the crack. Comrade, you're taking
leave of your senses!"

"Contemplatin' that ugly anymal below air enough to make me. It a'most
druv me out o' my mind to think o' his black ungratefulness. Now,
seein' hisself through the sight of a rifle 'ithin good shootin'
distance, shurely ye don't intend we shud let him go!"

"Certainly not. That would be ruin to ourselves. We must either kill
or capture him. But it must be done without noise, or at least without
firing a shot. They're not far enough off yet."

"How d'ye devise, then?"

"Let's back to our mules, mount, and get round the ledge. We must head
him before he gets out of the gap. Come on!"

Both scramble back down the slope quicker than they ascended it, knowing
there is good reason for haste--the best for their lives--every thing
may depend on capturing the peon. Should he see them, and get away, it
will be worse both for them and their dear ones.

In two minutes the mules are again unmuffled an