else have a chance. This job seems to be about my fit, and I
propose that the doctor here picks me out, unless squire here chooses
himself as the one to do it."

"Oh no," cried Ned; "I couldn't do it. I mean, I shan't go. I don't
think I could do it."

"It's a grown man's job," said the doctor firmly, "one that either
Griggs or I will undertake. There, come down, and let's carefully hide
the way by which we came up. The enemy may come here again to get a
shot at us, and if they do we must not give them a chance for growing
suspicious."

"If they come, sir," said Griggs. "I don't think they will--at all
events to-day. What they'll try in the night no one can say. But now
then, Chris, my lad, you and your mustang have got to make yourselves
fit for everything. We can do nothing till you're both quite well, and
the sooner that time comes the sooner we shall be strong enough to act."

CHAPTER FORTY NINE.

GRIGGS IS STUBBORN.

The days glided by, with the stiffness in Chris Lee's limbs growing less
painful, and the pony recovering fast, for the clear mountain air seemed
to act like a cure for wounds. Every day that came showed the injured
animal in better condition. Its efforts to move no longer made Chris
wince and forget his own pains in those he felt at seeing the mustang
suffer.

Every one was busy, for the keeping watch regularly took up a good deal
of time. Then shooting had to be attended to, so as to keep up a good
supply of fresh meat, till the birds upon which the party depended grew
shy of coming to the spring, and two or three anxious discussions had
been held about supplies for the future, the result of which was that a
decision had been arrived at, for a departure to be made as soon as
possible.

Chris was quite strong enough--so he declared--and at last every hour
seemed to make an improvement in the mustang.

"It's all nonsense, Ned," cried Chris, "for them to think they are
staying on account of us.--Hullo, Griggs! Were you listening?"

"Nay; I was close here, and your chatter came rattling into my ears like
peas. We're not waiting for you now. How did your pony go this
morning?"

"Splendid. Just halted a little on the bad leg; but it's better than it
was yesterday."

"Did you canter this morning?"

"Canter? We went at a good swinging gallop."

"And what about you?"

"Oh, I'm only a little stiff still. Here, I want for us to be off. We
shall get strong more quickl