our saddle you will find a choice
collection of eatables, and a large flask of something stronger than
water. You see that I am provided in the same manner."

"I am thankful for it, and sincerely hope that you will make no demands
upon me during the journey."

"Don't alarm yourself," I replied, laughing. "I have got a revolver, and
can shoot a kangaroo if I get hungry."

By chance I drew my revolver from my belt as I spoke, and saw that, it
was apparently in good order, although I thought that the caps looked as
though they had been put on in a bungling manner. The work did not look
like mine, and I had a faint suspicion that the pistol had been tampered
with.

I said nothing to my friend, but dropped the rein upon my horse's nock,
and removed one of the caps of the nipple. I saw nothing to alarm me
until I had wiped away the corrosive substance that clung to the iron,
when, to my surprise, I discovered that a small plug had been driven
into the priming tube, thus rendering the charge in the barrel useless.
The discovery was valuable, for I did not know what designs the man who
did the work might have on us.

A brief inspection convinced me that the remaining five tubes were in
the same condition, and then I called for a halt.

"What's the matter now?" demanded my friend, who was considerable in
advance of me.

"A slight discovery that may prove of value."

"What is it--another bottle of liquor?"

"No, of more importance than that. Had it been a bottle I should have
hardly called you back," I replied.

"No, I'll be sworn that you would not. But go on. Tell me what you have
found out now."

"Simply that our pistols have been tampered with. At least mine has."

"Is it possible?" cried Mr. Brown, hastily, drawing his weapon and
inspecting it.

"I see nothing," he continued. "The powder and ball seem to be in their
places, and the caps on."

"Take off the caps, and then see," I remarked.

He did as I requested, and found the tubes stopped as mine

"The devil!" he muttered; "I don't like this much." "Neither do I; but
we must make the best of it. The quicker we extract the plugs, the more
safe I shall feel."

The task was a long one, but we accomplished it, and then, to make all
sure, we reloaded our weapons, and felt relieved when we found that we
could depend upon them.

"When was this done?" Mr. Brown inquired.

"Probably yesterday afternoon, while we were looking over the farm."

"But who could