redit for the speed
at which they must have been travelling," observed the lieutenant.

"But, notwithstanding, we shall be up with them before dark," I
exclaimed. "See there!" and I pointed to a mark on the grass, which my
quick eye had detected as that made by a single wheel.

The lieutenant, however, could not see it, and thought that my fancy was
deceiving me.

Had we not been detained by the baggage mules, we should, I was sure,
have quickly overtaken the runaways. I must own, however, that I felt
very little interest in their capture, for I considered them not worth
their salt as soldiers,--a couple of "Uncle Sam's" hard bargains,--but
the lieutenant had no wish to be blamed for losing his men, should he
arrive at the fort without his escort.

We had to call a halt twice in the day, to allow our animals to feed and
drink, and to take some refreshment ourselves. Two or three times, as I
looked round, I fancied that I saw some objects in the distance; it
might have been Indians or deer, or perhaps even buffalo, although the
latter seldom came so close to the mountains.

[Illustration: THE DESERTERS IN SIGHT]

We, of course, kept our arms ready for any emergency; and as but few of
the natives in those regions had at that time firearms, I knew that
Indians would be very wary how they approached within range of our
rifles.

The day was drawing to a close, and I was looking out for a convenient
spot for camping, when I saw in the far distance ahead of us, and just
on the summit of some rising ground, a couple of figures.

"Who can these be?" exclaimed the lieutenant, who saw them at the same
time.

"Unless I am greatly mistaken, they are your two deserters, Klitz and
Gillooly."

We dragged on the unwilling mules, in the endeavour to overtake them;
but I think the fellows must have seen us, for they moved forward at a
rapid rate. The fat little Irishman was ahead trundling the wheelbarrow,
while the tall German followed close at his heels carrying a couple of
muskets, one over each shoulder.

"Stay by the mules, Ralph; pray do!" exclaimed the lieutenant. "I will
gallop after the rascals, and bring them to a halt."

"There is a deep stream between us and them," I observed, "and you may
have some difficulty in crossing it alone; we will follow at our
leisure, for we are sure to catch them up before dark."

Just as I spoke, the ominous cry of an Indian war-whoop came from behind
us; and looking round, we saw