that they went farther than
that, and compelled the boys to walk in the mud and leave their tracks
there."

"I don't see why they did that," observed Bob. "I should think they
would want to keep everybody from knowing where the boys were."

"So they would if they had intended to keep the boys with them, but they
did not. This is their plan, as near as I can get at it; and in order to
make my explanation clearer I will call the party of which Lieutenant
Earle is in pursuit No. 1, that which we want to find No. 2, and that
the captain is following up No. 3. The warriors in No. 1 are doubtless
the best mounted of all the raiders. When they separated from the main
body they left a broad trail, so that they could be easily followed,
taking the children with them, and leaving now and then a sign of their
presence, for no other purpose than to coax the captain to follow them
with his whole force. As soon as they reached a piece of rocky ground,
where a pony's feet would leave no track, one of their number picked up
the boys and brought them over here, where party No. 2 was waiting for
him. Those he left behind will show themselves to Lieutenant Earle
occasionally, and perhaps open a little fight with him, just to induce
him to continue the pursuit. Party No. 3 will drive the stock ahead as
fast as possible, and get away with it if they can; but if they find
that they are likely to be overtaken, they will drop the cattle and do
everything they can to keep the captain on their trail, so as to give
party No. 2 a chance to escape with the prisoners. Now, that's a long
story, and no doubt it is a hard one to believe; but I don't think I am
far from right when I tell you that it is quite in your power to carry
off the honors of this expedition. Captain Clinton will have his hands
full until he recovers that stock; so will Lieutenant Earle as long as
he follows those will-o'-the-wisps in front of him; and to you will be
left the duty, as well as the privilege, of looking out for the safety
of Mr. Wentworth's little boys."

"Whew!" panted Bob, who was very much impressed, although not wholly
convinced, by his companion's clear and forcible reasoning. "Then I am
the chief man in this scout, am I? Suppose--I say, just _suppose_--I
should be lucky enough to rescue those boys alive and unharmed, what
would the fellows say? What would Mr. Wentworth say?"

"The boys would cheer you, and you would win Mr. Wentworth's everlasting
gratitu