len, I reckon we have struck it about right."

"But I see nothing of a cave."

"Let us follow the trail. The cave may not be persackly by the pines but
in sight o' them, do ye see?"

"I do."

"Thet trail is almost in the direction I wuz goin'," continued Watson.
"So we won't miss much if we go wrong. Forward it is!"

And again they struck out, this time with increased confidence. As they
progressed the old hunter examined the hoof marks from time to time and
said he was certain two horsemen had passed that way.

But just as they were coming to the end of the foothills they reached a
mountain water course and here the trail came to an abrupt end.

"We are stumped now," said Allen, after both had crossed to the other
side of the stream.

"I ain't a-givin' up jes' yet," answered Watson.

"Oh, neither am I. But where has the trail gone to?"

"Let us move down the stream a bit," suggested the old hunter. "I don't
think the hossmen who made thet trail would stick ter the water very
long."

On they went once more, and now in silence, for both felt that the cave
might be close at hand. The seven pines were still in view, standing
upon a hillock by themselves.

At last they came to a spot where the water course broadened out into a
tiny lake. At this point there was another brook, coming down from a
spring upon the hillside.

"The trail!" cried Allen, presently, and pointed it out.

"Right ye air, Allen," returned Watson. "An' I reckon we air gittin'
close ter the end on it too," he added suggestively.

But little more was said and they quickly followed the trail up to where
a wall of rocks arose, standing boldly out from the foothills and facing
the seven pines.

"If I ain't mistaken thar's a cave over yonder," whispered Watson,
pointing with his hand.

"Forward we go!" cried Allen, and dashed ahead, with his weapon ready
for use. Two minutes later a turn of the trail brought them into plain
view of a large cave in the cliff side.

"Eureka!" began Watson, when Allen checked his speech.

"Somebody is coming!" he whispered. "A woman! Get behind the brush!"

He led the way and Watson followed, and both waited with bated breath.
Presently a woman passed them, carrying an empty water bucket. She was
bound for the spring just mentioned.

"That must be the woman Slavin mentioned," went on Allen, in a low
voice.

"Like as not," whispered the old hunter in return. "Shall we capture
her?"

"No--wait."

Th