about half-an-hour later, when they had
been compelled by the thickness of the growth to proceed at a walk,
Griggs, who was in front, suddenly turned in his saddle.

"Come more into line," he said; "there is something on in front waiting
to be flushed."

The evolution was made, and the six ponies went steadily on through the
dense growth with a loud rustling sound, while from time to time a
glimpse was obtained of the waving green surface being agitated not far
in front, plainly showing that they were driving something before them.

"Which way will they go, Griggs, when we flush them?" said the doctor.

"I don't see any trees to the left, sir, or they'd fly for them; so I
fancy they'll rise and make for the open plain yonder. It looks quite
clear, and if we don't bring any down when they rise we ought to canter
out after them and get a shot there, or ride them down."

"Too long a task, as it's getting so late."

"Oh no, sir; they're very heavy birds. But I don't like this; we're
getting into longer grass and--down--dismount--quick, every one--quick!"

Nobody stopped to ask why, but obeyed one whom they knew to be the most
experienced member of the party, and his tone of voice was so eager and
intense that all thought the time had come for a good shot, as dropping
from their saddles they stood ready to fire over their ponies' heads.

"Well, where's the game?" said the doctor, after a few moments' silence.

"Here, sir," said Griggs hoarsely. "We're it if we've been seen."

"What do you mean?"

"Look yonder, sir, over the grass out towards the desert where there's
that golden shimmer above the plain."

"I don't see--yes, I do. Stoop, stoop, every one, or we shall be seen,
if it isn't too late."

There was a quick movement amongst the party, every head being lowered--
every one stooping a little to peer over the level top of the grass, to
see as it were a panorama of black figures moving along a golden band, a
party of some thirty or forty mounted Indians walking their ponies in
single file, as if going in the same direction as the explorers, and not
a quarter of a mile away.

"Haven't they seen us, Griggs?" whispered the doctor.

"Don't know yet, sir," said the American, "but if they haven't they must
be half blind. Yes, they've seen us, for certain, I should say, and
they're bearing inward so as to cut us off."

CHAPTER TWENTY.

DANGEROUS NEIGHBOURS.

Chris's heart beat fast, and as he glance