you, and young Master Bart, and Miss Maude there; but they think you
ought to go where it's safe-like, and not where we're 'most sure to be
tortured and scalped. There's lots o' places where the whites are in
plenty."

"And where every gully and mountain has been ransacked for metals, my
lad. I want to go where white men have never been before, and search
the mountains there."

"For gold and silver and that sort of thing, master?"

"Yes, my lads."

"All right, master; then we suppose you must go."

"And you will go back because it is dangerous?"

"I never said such a word, master. I only said it warn't safe."

"And for answer to that, Joses, I say that, danger or no danger, I must
try and make up for my past losses by some good venture in one of these
unknown regions. Now then, have you made up your minds? If not, make
them up quickly, and let me know what you mean to do."

Joses did not turn round to his companions, whose spokesman he was, but
said quietly, as he rolled up a fresh cigarette:

"Mind's made up, master."

"And you will go back?"

"Yes, master."

"All of you?"

"All of us, master," said Joses slowly. "When you do," he added after a
pause.

"I knew he would say that, sir," cried the youth who had been looking on
and listening attentively; "I knew Joses would not leave us, nor any of
the others."

"Stop a moment," interposed the first speaker. "What about your
companions, my lad?"

"What, them?" said Joses quietly. "Why, they do as I do."

"Are you sure?"

"Course I am, master. They told me what to do."

"Then thank you, my lad. I felt and knew I could trust you. Believe
me, I will take you into no greater danger than I can help; but we must
be a little venturesome in penetrating into new lands, and the Indians
may not prove our enemies after all."

"Ha, ha, ha! Haw, haw, haw, haw!" laughed Joses hoarsely. "You wait
and see, master. They stampeded your cattle when you had any. Now look
out or they'll stampede you."

"Well, we'll risk it," said the other. "Now let's be ready for any
danger that comes. Saddle the horses, and tether them close to the
waggon. I will have the first watch to-night; you take the second,
Joses; and you, Bart, take the third. Get to sleep early, my lads, for
I want to be off before sunrise in the morning."

The men nodded their willingness to obey orders, and soon after all were
hushed in sleep, the ever-wakeful stars only looking dow