hether you can see buffalo."

"Yes," said Chris, after a long pause, "buffalo, and they're coming what
you call it--diagonally across the country."

"That's right," said Griggs; "but they're not buffalo."

"What then? They're too big to be wolves."

"Yes," said Griggs coolly; "it's a big band of mounted Indians. Come
down, quick."

The news they had to carry was too important to admit of delay, and the
little party hurried down to camp, where fortunately as soon as the
doctor had brought the glass to bear he was able to announce that the
Indians were not visible from the sheltered nook that had been chosen on
account of the trees and rocks around.

"It's fortunate for us that they have no telescope in their
civilisation," said Bourne.

"Ah, but they have far sharper eyes than we have, sir," said Griggs.
"What do you mean to do, doctor?"

"Send you up above again with the glass while we get the animals
together ready for a start if it should prove necessary. The enemy are
miles away yet."

"Yes, sir, and it's hardly likely that they will come up here unless
they see us or hit upon our trail. What do you say to the boys taking
the glass up higher? You'll want me."

"Very well," replied the doctor. "Go up, boys, and while one keeps his
eyes upon their movements, the other can act as messenger and come and
tell us whether the situation gets better or worse."

The two lads started at once, eager to undertake the task like men, but
in five minutes they were back like boys.

"What is it?" said the doctor eagerly. "Are the Indians coming on?"

"No, father," said Chris, hesitating, for he stopped short, and Bourne
looked anxiously at his son.

"You two have not been disagreeing?" he said sharply.

"No, father, not disagreeing," said Ned, "but--"

"Come, out with it," cried the doctor sternly. "Why have you both come
back?"

"We've come back for orders, father," said Chris, with a sharp look at
Ned.

"I thought I had given you full explanation as to what I wish you to
do," said the doctor.

"Not quite, father. You left something out."

"What is it? Quick; we have no time to spare."

"You didn't say which of us was to have the glass and do the looking
out."

The doctor uttered a low angry sound which had he been a dog would have
been called a growl, before saying firmly--

"Ned is to use the glass, and you are to be messenger, for your words
and tone say plainly enough that you have been st