n the doctor and Griggs over the
injuries the animals had received.

Two of the mules had been down, and showed injuries to their knees. One
had evidently met with a bad fall over a piece of rock, and limped
painfully, while two of the ponies wore the aspect of having been
over-ridden.

"I think they ought to have another day's rest, Griggs," said the
doctor.

"And I think they ought to have two," was the reply; "but what about
staying here? The Indians may find and follow our trail."

"We must not think of waiting two days," replied the doctor, "but I
think we might risk one, and we must send out a scout along the road we
have come, to select a suitable spot on high ground and keep a lookout.
If he sees danger on the way he must ride back and warn us. Meanwhile
we'll have everything ready for an immediate start, keeping the animals
close in, and the packs, so that we can load up at once."

Griggs nodded.

"What about the scout?" he said.

The doctor looked at him in silence.

"You mean you would like me to go?"

"Yes, but there is no reason why you should go alone. I could easily
spare one of the boys."

"That's right--Chris," said the American, and in pretty good time that
morning these two, with their wallets well supplied and their
water-bottles filled, rode off along the back track to make a
reconnoissance, with the understanding that they were to rejoin their
friends that night.

It was a glorious ride through a lovely country, slowly and cautiously
taken, till a spot was reached commanding the portion along which danger
seemed sure to come if it was astir, and here, with their ponies hobbled
to graze, Chris and the American watched hour after hour, enjoying the
rest.

"But doesn't it seem queer," said Chris, as the day wore on, "just
because we are bound to be so careful, and dare not fire a shot for fear
of taking the enemy's attention, we have had chance after chance of
getting birds? I should have liked to take three or four brace back
with us."

"Yes," said Griggs shortly. "Been a nice change; but it wouldn't do."

The sun was getting low when Griggs finished a long search of the back
country with the glass he carried, and ended by closing it and thrusting
it into the case.

"No Indians to-day, or we should have seen them. I think we may start
back now."

They were soon in the saddle, and, to Chris's delight, he found that his
pony's stiffness had pretty well passed off, while, t