ender, came back to
announce that there was none to examine.

"What!" cried the boys in a breath. "Why, we left plenty for a cold
supper."

"Yes," said Griggs, "but the jackals, or wolves, or whatever they were,
haven't."

"You don't mean to say--" began Chris, who felt far from mirthful now.

"Yes, I do; they've been here and cleared out everything."

"But no fire, no turkey, no tea," cried Ned. "What are we to do?"

"Just as the mustangs have, my lad; have a good long drink, a roll, and
then--"

"We can't graze," cried Chris.

"No, but we can take it out in sleep."

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.

ON THE TRAIL.

It was horribly disappointing in their hungry and weary state, but it
was no time for finding fault.

"Roll yourselves up in your blankets, boys, and go to sleep," said
Griggs.

"Is that what you are going to do?" said Chris dismally.

"No," was the reply; "I'm going to have the first watch."

"First watch?" said Chris, staring.

"Yes, and your father is going to relieve me at the end of four hours."

"But--watch? What for?"

"Because there are Indians about. You don't suppose we could leave the
camp unguarded at a time like this, do you?"

"I--I never thought about it," stammered Chris. "Did you, Ned?"

"Of course not. But is it necessary?"

"If you want to take care of your scalp, yes, my lad," said the American
dryly.

"Oh, but--" began Chris.

"You think there's no risk, eh? Well, perhaps it's not quite so bad as
that, but we don't want to wake up and find that the mules and horses
have been swept off in the night. There, lie down and sleep. Whoever
has the morning watch will wake you up to a good fire and such a
breakfast as will make up for your cold water supper. Well--why don't
you lie down?--Here: stop! What are you going to do?"

"Going to speak to father."

"No, no, don't disturb him. I dare say he's asleep by now."

"He can't be," replied Chris sturdily; "there hasn't been time."

"What!" cried Griggs, laughing. "Not time? Well, come with me and
look; I'll be bound to say he is. But what do you want to say to him?"

Chris hesitated to answer, but the American pressed him, and the boy
spoke out.

"I only wanted to tell him that I didn't want to be such a selfish pig
as to go to sleep and leave him to keep watch."

"Oh!" said Griggs gravely.

"And to say that I was going to order you to wake me when the four hours
are up, and I'd go on duty."

"I se