that had been hanging all day in the hot sun, to be
peppered with dust from the plain, and flavoured by emanations from the
horse against whose flank it had been beaten.

This, however, did not trouble the savages, whom one learned in the lore
of the plains would have immediately set down as belonging to a powerful
tribe of horse Indians--the Apaches, well-known for their prowess in war
and their skill as wild-horsemen of the plains. They feasted on, like
men whose appetites had become furious from long fasting, until at last
they had satisfied their hunger, and the evening shadows were making the
great plants of cactus stand up, weird and strange, against the
fast-darkening evening sky; then, while the embers of the fire grew more
ruddy and bright, each Indian, save those deputed to look after the
horses and keep on the watch for danger, drew his blanket or buffalo
robe over his naked shoulders, filled and lit his long pipe, and began
silently and thoughtfully to smoke.

Meanwhile, in utter unconsciousness of the nearness of danger, Dr
Lascelles continued his watch thus far into the night. From time to
time he examined the tethering of the horses, and glanced inside the
tent to stand and listen to the regular low breathing of his child, and
then walk to where, rolled in his blanket, Bart Woodlaw lay sleeping in
full confidence that a good watch was being kept over the camp as he
slept.

Then the Doctor tried to pierce the gloom around.

Away towards the open plains it was clear and transparent, but towards
the rocks that stretched there on one side all seemed black. Not a
sound fell upon his ear, and so great was the stillness that the dull
crackle of a piece of smouldering wood sounded painfully loud and
strange.

At last the time had come for arousing some one to take his place, and
walking, after a few moments' thought, to where Bart lay, he bent down
and touched him lightly on the arm.

In an instant, rifle in hand, the lad was upon his feet.

"Is there danger?" he said in a low, quiet whisper.

"I hope not, Bart," said the Doctor quietly, "everything is perfectly
still. I shall lie down in front of the tent; wake me if you hear a
sound."

The lad nodded, and then stood trying to shake off the drowsiness that
still remained after his deep sleep while he watched the Doctor's figure
grow indistinct as he walked towards the dimly seen tent. He could just
make out that the Doctor bent down, and then he