our
gun goes off, I shall be here in a twinkling."

He bade her good night and departed. Enough wood had been flung on the
fire to keep it going for an hour or two, but long before it sank to
ashes, the girl had drifted into dreamland.

The lieutenant carefully selected his own sleeping quarters. He
finally fixed upon a large flat boulder, at the rear of the cavern
occupied by Timon and his charge; but, although beyond sight, he was
near enough to reach the spot on the instant needed. Spreading out his
blanket, he lay down upon it.

"This recalls the old days in Virginia, when mud a foot deep, with the
rain dashing in our faces, was what we had for weeks at a time. This
couch doesn't equal a feather bed, but it will answer."

The night passed without incident and it was hardly light when the
young officer was astir. He visited the horses and found them cropping
the grass, but he waited until Timon came to him before calling upon
Nellie. She, too, had been awake for some time and they partook of
their morning meal with rugged appetites.

She was so eager to hurry on that he lost no time in taking the road
again. Neither could doubt that their pursuers were on their trail,
and, with the aid of his small glass, he carefully studied the country
behind them. It was not long before he made the discovery he dreaded:
four horsemen were following their footprints, and beyond them were
the five Indians picking their way along the ledge in the opposite
direction.

The lieutenant passed the glass to his companion who scrutinized the
party with the keenest interest.

"They must have traveled all night," remarked her escort, while she
still peered through the instrument.

"That shows how dreadfully angry father is; I hope it will not last."

"Can you make out the members of the party?"

She studied them a minute or two more before answering:

"I think that is father who is close to the man on a mule."

"The one on a mule must be Vose Adams, for he is more accustomed to
that sort of animal. I am sorry he is with the party."

"Why?" asked Nellie, lowering the glass and looking at him.

"He is so familiar with the trail, that it will be hard work to outwit
him; he isn't the man to make mistakes. Did you recognize the
others?"

"I cannot be sure, but I suspect they are Mr. Ruggles and Mr. Brush."

"I have no doubt you are right,--not because I was able to identify
them, but because the two are partners and your father