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"You mean we should start now?"

"Better--let the cattle rest--first An'--if ye ever feed prisoners--I

'd like ter eat a bite--mesilf"

They rested there for over two hours, the tired horses contentedly

rass of the coulée, their twohis appetite,

rested flat upon his back, one ar over his eyes to protect them

from the sun For a considerable time Hampton supposed him asleep,

until he accidentally caught the stealthy glance which followed his

slightest movement, and instantly realized that the old weasel was

alert Murphy had been beaten, yet evidently ree stoicis to occupy hilass

At last they saddled up, and, at first leading their horses, passed

down the coulée into the more precipitous depths of the narrow

canyon This proved hardly

prairie, rock strewn, holding an insignificant strea ae between the rock walls The men mounted, and Hampton, with a

wave of his hand, bade the old scout assume the lead

Their early advance was slow and cautious, as they never felt certain

what hidden ene

defile, and they kept vigilant eyes upon the serrated sky-line The

savages were ood fortune if they escaped running into so band, or if

some stray scout did not stumble upon their trail So they continued

to plod on