now, with the crisis at hand, the guide became
apprehensive about the final issue.

Suppose the couple should leave their hiding place to return to the
main trail before their pursuers were out of the way? Mutual discovery
was certain with the dreadful catastrophe that none dreaded more than
he. But it would seem that Lieutenant Russell was too cautious to run
the risk of so fatal a mistake. He would reconnoitre the ground and
keep out of sight until the coast was clear, but the restless Adams
was astir at the first streakings of light in the canyon.

He first visited the animals. It was possible that the stealthy
prowler of the night before had done them injury, but, so far as he
could ascertain, nothing of the kind had occurred. Except for what he
had seen and heard during the darkness, he would not have known that a
visitor had been in camp.

It was not fully light when the others rose from their primitive
couches. Water was at hand, and after drinking and ablution, the group
sat down to their morning meal, which disposed of the last remnant
furnished by Vose Adams. While they were eating, he told of the
occurrences of the night and was surprised that his companions made
light of them. To them it was of less importance than to him.

"So long as they do no more than prowl about the camp," remarked
Captain Dawson, "we need feel no concern."

"It seems to me," said Brush, "that if the fellow intended mischief,
he would have done it, but he has left no traces of anything of the
kind."

"Which was because the right kind of chance didn't show itself," said
Vose; "if we don't have a lively fight before this bus'ness is over,
I'm much mistook, but it's time we was moving."

The guide seemed to have forgotten his resentment of the night before
and his friends were too considerate to refer to it. It took but a
short time to make the animals ready, when the procession started up
the gorge, Vose, as usual, leading, with the captain next, then Wade
Ruggles, while the parson brought up the rear, that position naturally
falling to him.

Men and beasts were refreshed by their rest and food, and it required
but a brief while to reach the top of the gorge, where, as will be
remembered, it terminated. It was here that Vose Adams began his fine
work, and he showed no more hesitancy in drawing a "long bow," than on
the previous night, when pretending to account for his long absence.

"The trail leads to the right," he said, w