I must have fallen--after my
senses left me. In the last gleam of consciousness, I remembered
standing by the side of my horse. But I must have fallen: for when
thought returned, I found myself upon my back, stretched at full length
along the grass!

CHAPTER SIXTY SEVEN.

PASSED BY THE PURSUIT.

I must have fallen upon my back, or else turned upon it after falling.
On opening my eyes, the sky was the first object that my glance
encountered. I saw only a strip of it, of dark-blue colour, bordered on
each side by black. I knew it was the sky by its twinkling stars; and
that the black borderings were the cliffs of the canon. By this I
remembered where I was, and the stars and darkness admonished me it was
still night. There was hot air upon my face--as if some one was behind
breathing down upon me. I turned my head, and looked upward. A pair of
brilliant eyes were glancing into mine. So confused were my senses,
that it was some time before I made them out to be the eyes of my Arab.
He was standing over me, with his muzzle close to my forehead. It was
his breath I had felt upon my face. I could not tell how long I had
been entranced. I had no clue to the time of night, and I was not in a
position to consult the stars. I must have lain several hours, partly
in syncope, and partly asleep. It was fortunate I had a buffalo-robe
around my body. I had found it lying upon the plain among the dead men;
and had snatched it up, and tied it around my shoulders as I rode on.
But for it, I might have perished in my slumber: since the night was
chill, and I had neither covering on my back, nor blood in my veins, to
resist the cold. It was the absence of the latter that had brought me
to the ground. I had left most of my blood upon the butte.

Sleep or time had revived me. I was able to get to my feet; and I
arose. I was still weak, and staggered like a lamb; but my senses were
sufficiently clear; and I now recollected everything that had
transpired. I was also conscious of the danger of remaining in that
place; and it was this thought that induced me to get up--with the
intention of going forward.

I was strong enough to mount, and just strong enough to keep the seat
upon my horse; but I was aware of the necessity of putting a wider
distance between myself and the Red-Hand before daylight should arrive;
and I continued onward up the ravine. The trace was easily followed--
more easily than when I first enter