y journeying over the plains or climbing in
and out among the mountains. I don't like to bother my father any more,
but what does he say?"

"He says we're to start to-morrow at daybreak."

"Hurrah!" cried Chris.

"But we shan't, my lad."

"Why not?"

"Because I've seen Indians again."

"Oh! You're always seeing Indians again. Here it has been--one day and
you declared that they were gone; then the very next day you've seen
them again."

"Well, they showed themselves to me; I didn't want them," said Griggs
dryly. "They're an artful lot. Never been away at all, I believe. We
couldn't see 'em, but if we'd made a start they'd have been close upon
our heels directly."

"Ah, you'll have to trap them, Chris," said Ned maliciously.

"Look here; if you say that again we shall quarrel."

"Hear that, Griggs?"

"Oh yes, I hear. Serve you right. Why don't you drop all that teasing?
If you can't show us a better way you had better hold your tongue."

"Very well; I can do that," said Ned haughtily.

"There, that's enough," cried Chris. "Don't be so petty, Ned. We've
got something else to think about besides teasing and bantering."

"That's right," cried Griggs. "Look here, lads. I've just been trying
that place again. I started from the mouth of the valley, and ran in
and out among the rocks and trees, got to the foot of the way up
quickly, and then acted just as if I had the Indians after me. I've no
doubt about it now. Once I could get them after me, I could lead them a
pretty race, and dodge in and out till I reached the path up to the
terrace over the way, scuttle up, and let down stones enough to stop
them from coming after me, so that I don't believe they could clear the
way for a week."

"Then you are ready to try at any time?"

"Any time the doctor likes."

"But what about the arrows?" said Ned.

"I'm not afraid of them hitting me, my lad," said Griggs confidently.
"Being shot at by fellows with bows and arrows sounds bad enough, but
there's not much risk here."

"I don't know about that," said Chris anxiously.

"Don't you? Well, I do. I should be running fast and dodging in and
out among the rocks and trees. That would make it hard shooting for a
man standing still, wouldn't it?"

"Yes; of course," said Chris, with a dubious look all the same.

"But the enemy won't be standing still," continued Griggs. "They'll be
galloping after me as hard as they can come, not that it will be