d, bows bent, and clubs brandishing, stood ready to receive them.

It was a gauntlet the pursued men might well despair of being able to
run. Truly now seemed their retreat cut off, and surely did death
appear to stare them in the face.

"We must die, Walt," said the young prairie merchant, as he faced
despairingly toward his companion.

"Maybe not yet," answered Wilder, as with a searching glance, he
directed his eye along the facade of the cliff.

The red sandstone rose rugged and frowning, full five hundred feet
overhead. To the superficial glance it seemed to forbid all chance
either of being scaled, or affording concealment. There was not even a
boulder below, behind which they might find a momentary shelter from the
shafts of the pursuers. For all that, Wilder continued to scan it, as
if recalling some old recollection.

"This must be the place," he muttered. "It is, by God!" he added more
emphatically, at the same time wrenching his horse around, riding sharp
off, and calling to his companion to follow him.

Hamersley obeyed, and rode after, without knowing what next. But, in
another instant, he divined the intent of this sudden change in the
tactics of his fellow fugitive. For before riding far his eyes fell
upon a dark list, which indicated an opening in the escarpment.

It was a mere crack, or chine, scarce so wide as a doorway, and barely
large enough to admit a man on horseback; though vertically it traversed
the cliff to its top, splitting it from base to summit.

"Off o' yur hoss!" cried Wilder, as he pulled up in front of it, at the
same time flinging himself from his own. "Drop the bridle, and leave
him behint. One o' 'em'll be enough for what I want, an' let that be
myen. Poor critter, it air a pity! But it can't be helped. We must
hev some kiver to screen us. Quick, Frank, or the skunks will be on to
us!"

Painful as it was to abandon his brave steed, Hamersley did as directed
without knowing why. The last speeches of the guide were somewhat
enigmatical, though he presumed they meant an important signification.

Slipping down from his saddle, he stood by his horse's side, a noble
steed, the best blood of his own State, Kentucky, famed for its fine
stock. The animal appeared to know that its master was about to part
from it. It turned its head towards him; and, with bent neck, and
steaming nostrils, gave utterance to a low neigh that, while proclaiming
affection, seemed to say