not intend to accompany us?"

"The women follow at a distance, to take care of the wounded. I go with
them."

The voice of Wa-ka-ra, calling to me to join him and his warriors, put
an end to a dialogue, that had done but little to illustrate the story
of the strange personage by my side. If possible, I was more mystified
than ever. But it was not a time to be tempted by the lure of an idle
curiosity, however interesting the theme. The perilous situation of my
old comrades came once more vividly before my mind. The thought
recalled me to my duty; and, hurrying from the presence of that
beautiful being--whom I hoped soon to behold again--I leaped upon the
back of my horse; and joined the Utah warriors, as they swept in full
gallop from out the lines of their encampment.

CHAPTER SEVENTY FIVE.

EFFECTING THE SURROUND.

The ride was rough and rapid. Notwithstanding the superiority of my
steed, it was as much as I could do to keep pace with my new allies--
whose horses, used to all sorts of ground, went gliding along the uneven
paths, as if they had been graded roads. Through tangled bushes they
scrambled without stay, over sharp and slippery rocks--their unshod
hoofs rendering them sure-footed as mountain sheep. Down the gorge lay
our route; and paths, over which I had almost feared to walk my horse,
were now passed in a quick continuous gallop. We soon reached the scene
of my encounter with the huntress. The dog still kept sentry over the
game. Couchant by the body of the bighorn, he only growled as the
cavalcade swept past. No one stopped to relieve him, of his charge. On
a war expedition the chase is universally neglected. Even its spoils
are spurned. Hunger is supposed to beget prowess, as it sharpens the
wits; and the savage fights best upon an empty stomach.

The hurried movements of the Indians--the eagerness each one exhibited
to press forward--proved how earnest they were on this expedition. It
was not my affair that was stimulating them to such speed. A tribal
hostility of long standing--older than the warriors themselves--existed
between Utah and Arapaho. Between the bands of Wa-ka-ra and Red-Hand
the hostile inheritance had increased until it had reached the maximum
of the most deadly _vendetta_. This will account for the hot haste with
which we hurried on--for the universal excitement that prevailed in the
ranks of my Utah allies. They knew that they outnumbered their enemies.
The