yet to terminate in death. True, they had got
into a position where, to all appearance, they could defend themselves
as long as their ammunition lasted, or as they could withstand the agony
of thirst or the cravings of hunger. How were they to get out again?
As well might they have been besieged in a cave, with no chance of
sortie or escape.

These thoughts he communicated to his companion, as soon as they found
time to talk.

"Hunger an' thirst ain't nothin' to do wi' it," was Wilder response.
"We ain't a goin' to stay hyar not twenty minutes, if this child kin
manage it as he intends ter do. You don't s'pose I rushed into this
hyar hole like a chased rabbit? No, Frank; I've heern o' this place
afore, from some fellers thet, like ourselves, made _cache_ in it from a
band o' pursuin' Kimanch. Thar's a way leads out at the back; an' just
as soon as we kin throw dust in the eyes o' these yellin' varmints in
front, we'll put straight for it. I don't know what sort o' a passage
thar is--up the rocks by some kind o' raven, I b'lieve. We must do our
best to find it."

"But how do you intend to keep them from following us? You speak of
throwing dust in their eyes--how, Walt?"

"You wait, watch an' see. You won't hev yur patience terrifically
tried: for thar ain't much time to spare about it. Thar's another
passage up the cliffs, not far off; not a doubt but these Injuns know
it; an' ef we don't make haste, they'll git up thar, and come in upon us
by the back door, which trick won't do, nohowsomdever. You keep yurself
in readiness, and watch what I'm agoin' to do. When you see me scoot up
back'ards, follor 'ithout sayin' a word."

Hamersley promised compliance, and the guide, still kneeling behind the
barricade he had so cruelly constructed, commenced a series of
manoeuvres that held his companion in speechless conjecture.

He first placed his gun in such a position that the barrel, resting
across the hips of the dead horse, projected beyond the tail. In this
position he made it fast, by tying the butt with a piece of string to a
projecting part of the saddle. He next took the cap from his head--a
coonskin it was--and set it so that its upper edge could be seen
alongside the pommel, and rising about three inches above the croup.
The ruse was an old one, with some new additions and embellishments.

"It's all done now," said the guide, turning away from the carcase and
crouching to where his comrade awaited