e tangled
mass of serpents had been seen was so close that the next minute they
felt that they were bound to see the writhing creatures somewhere among
the stones in front.

But strange to state, their ponies displayed no uneasiness, the tight
hands kept upon their reins were not needed, and the docile little
animals stepped steadily onward towards the stone-dotted slope and
basin.

"Why, where are they?" said Chris, in a whisper, as he gazed wild-eyed
and excitedly over his mount's ears and from side to side.

"I dunno, my lad," replied Griggs. "It caps me. Why, there were
hundreds and thousands all about yonder when the stampede began."

"Of course there were," said Chris, "and now I can't see one."

"Not so much as a rattler. They must all have holes somewhere here
among the stones. Mind! Take care!"

"What for? Why?"

"They may come darting out and attack us."

"I say," continued Griggs, after a careful look round, "weren't dazed
with the hot sun and dreamed all that, did we?"

"Did the mules and horses dream it too?" cried Chris scornfully.

"No, of course not. But it's a puzzle, my lad. I wouldn't have
believed such a sight possible; but there it was. And now I wouldn't
have believed this could have happened; but it has, for I can't see a
snake."

"Never mind the snakes as they're not here," said Chris, setting the
example of reining up, for the two mustangs to stand calmly enough; "I
want to find those two water-barrels."

"Ah, to be sure; we've come for them," said Griggs, looking curiously
about. "I say, was that the mule that carried the kegs?"

"Oh yes; didn't you see the pack-saddle?"

"To be sure. If it hadn't been for that I should have been ready to say
that the one with the water had gone right off somewhere."

"Oh, that was the one," persisted Chris. "I know him well enough by his
white muzzle."

"To be sure. That's right. Then where are the kegs? Snakes ain't
thirsty things. They couldn't have rolled them away, could they?"

"What nonsense!" cried Chris. "But it is really strange. If we were on
a slope I should have thought that they had gone rolling right away out
of sight."

"We are on a steep slope, lad, but the barrels would have to roll up it
to get out of sight like this, and I never knew barrels carry on games
like that out of a book of fairy tales."

"Griggs," cried Chris, after a moment or two of thought, "are we in the
right place? These stones are