at's what I used to think when I was first up in the Rockies, sir,"
said Griggs coolly, "till I had been about a bit, and seen where the
redskins up there had been amongst the settlers' ranches. Pleasant
homes burned down, and men, women, and children lying where they had
been murdered and cut about--people who had been living hopeful lives,
hard workers whose only crime against the Indians was trying to get a
living out of a few acres instead of by hunting and war. I used to feel
just as you do, Mr Bourne; but I don't now."

"I know, I know," cried Ned's father passionately; "but they are so
ignorant of our power."

"Yes, sir, but we're not of theirs," replied Griggs. "Now, doctor,
they're drawing off. Had enough of it for one day, and it's time to be
stirring."

"What, retreat?"

"Not yet, sir. Here's my idea. They'll wait till it's dark, attack us
then with knives and tomahawks, coming on silently, leaving their horses
behind, and we shan't have a chance."

"Then what do you propose?" said the doctor.

"Just this, sir, if you can't see a better way. We three stop here,
ready to have a shot at any Indian who shows himself, while Mr Bourne,
young squire, and Chris go off to the mules and horses."

"No," cried Chris; "I'm not going to leave my father."

"Wait, my boy," said the doctor sternly.

"But, father--"

"Silence, sir!"

"Hadn't done speaking, my lad," said Griggs, looking at the boy with a
smile. "Here's the rest of it. Mr Bourne and Squire Ned get old
Skeeter to the front; and set off at once as fast as the mules will go,
which only means a walk."

"But where--where?" cried Bourne excitedly.

"Anywhere, sir, except into the soda-plains. The thing you've got to do
is to put as many miles between you and here as you can manage in the
next twenty-four hours."

"What, and desert you?" cried Bourne. "How are you going to manage to
find us?"

"Oh, I'll find you by your trail when the time comes, sir," said Griggs,
laughing. "Don't you be afraid of that. Don't even think about it,
only of getting right away."

"I see," said the doctor, and he frowned down Chris, who was about to
speak. "Now go on."

"There's not much more to say, sir. We shall stay here till dusk,
giving the redskins a reminder now and then that we're on the alert; and
at last, when we feel that they're coming on for the attack, into the
saddles we jump, and steal off till we're out of hearing, and then crawl
til