off right or left.
_Ck_! That's right. When you feel in doubt about a stone or hole or a
bush, stop short and I'll get down and feel about for you.--Well done!"

This last was in admiration, for without the slightest hesitation the
pony had set off, pacing steadily back along the way they had come, but
with its head very low-down, as Chris realised by the steady draw that
had been given at the reins.

"Talk about eyes," muttered Chris, "why, they're microscopes. I say,
though, I mustn't go to sleep. I believe I could without falling off.
It wouldn't be fair, though, for I ought to let him hear my voice now
and then."

All the same Chris was perfectly silent, and spent his time gazing hard
upward at the long jagged ribbon of black purple, now gemmed with
brilliant stars, which spread along overhead. From time to time he
looked forward to try and make out obstacles in front, but he could see
nothing; there was naught to do but listen to the pony's footsteps and
think of what they were doing at camp and what they would be saying
about his non-return.

"Father won't go to sleep to-night," said Chris, with a sigh of
satisfaction caused by the idea. "He'll be awake and listening for my
pony's steps, and--Oh, how far must it be?

"A good many yards less than it was a minute ago, and it's getting a
shorter distance with every step my mustang takes."

And onward they went, cheerfully enough, through the black darkness at
the bottom of the gulch, the pony never failing, never setting hoof in
hole nor stumbling over stone or bush. It stopped for a moment now and
then to turn aside or to make sure of some difficulty which needed an
outstretched neck, a touch with the muzzle, or a sigh; but otherwise it
travelled on slowly but surely through the earlier part of the night,
while Chris thought till he could think no longer, and began to ride
with his shoulders up, his chin in his chest, and a tendency to bow
right down upon his mount's neck. But he never did that once, only
clung with a dreamy feeling of safety, with his knees against the
saddle-flaps and his feet fast in the stirrups.

"I must not go to sleep," he muttered once; but he did all the same,
instinctively tightening his hold by means of his abnormally-strained
muscles the while.

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE.

AMONG THE HORNETS.

It had been a day of severe exertion mentally and bodily, during which
the boy's nature had done its best; but the time came at