POND SEIZED WITH TERROR.
Nothing of note occurred in the little camp at the Lone-tree Spring that
first night. Just before sunset the young Texan and Willie Pond took a
gallop of four or five miles to exercise their horses and use themselves
to the saddle, and when they came back with freshened appetites, ate
heartily, and afterward slept soundly.
The next morning both woke with the sun, and after a hearty meal the
pack-horse was loaded, the other animals saddled, and the route taken
for the Hills.
A ride of six or seven miles brought them into the trail of the larger
party, and at noon, or a little before, the Texan halted on the
camping-ground occupied by that party the night before.
The embers of their fires were yet alive, and over them the Texan cooked
dinner for himself and companion.
Pointing to the bones and scraps of meat thrown around, the Texan
laughed, and said:
"They've plenty now, but before they get through they'll be more
careful, for if the Indians are thick, game will be hard to get; and I'm
thinking they'll find Indians before they're three days out."
"You said the Sioux would be friendly to you?"
"Yes; I have a talisman. Did you not see me put this eagle feather,
tipped with crimson, in my hat last night before I rode out?"
"Yes. Is that your talisman?"
"It is. It is from the coronet of a Sioux chief, and was given to me as
a safeguard."
"I wish I had one."
"Keep with me and you will not need it."
"Do not fear that I will go far from you. Alone, I should feel utterly
lost on these prairies. Where will we camp to-night?"
"Very close to the party that is ahead of us. They will go to a creek
and a piece of timber that is fully fifty miles from here. About a mile
from where I think they will camp there is a small ravine, in which we
will find what grass and water we need. It will be near nightfall when
we get there, if we do our best in travel. But if we ride hard, we'll
take the longer rest. I do not care to keep too close to them as a
general thing, but to-night we can't help it."
Their nooning was short, and taking the precaution to water their horses
well, and fill their canteens, they rode forward over the well-defined
trail quite swiftly.
Toward night they could see the trail freshened, but nothing was in
sight except a distant mark when night fell, which the Texan said was
the timber where the party ahead would camp. Just as the sun was setting
smoke was seen to rise in that direction, and the Texan spoke
contemptuously of the carelessness which would thus expose a
camping-place to those who were miles distant.
"If a captain of a ranger band would do such a thing in Texas," he said,
"his men would reduce him to the ranks and put one in his place who knew
how to be cautious."
"It surely is imprudent. But they are a large party to cook for, and
must have large fires," said Pond.
The young Texan laughed scornfully.
"Let every man make his own fire, make such fires as you have seen me
make, and the smoke could not be seen a rifle-shot away," was the
answer. "That party will never reach the Hills. Mark that! If Indians
are within twenty miles they'll see a smoke like that. But what is it to
us? We're safe."
"I am not so selfish as to wish harm to reach them, even if we are
safe!" said Pond, testily.
"That is as much as to say that I am selfish. Well, I acknowledge it. I
go in for number one. If they can't take ordinary care of themselves,
let them suffer."
Willie Pond made no answer, but rode on in silence. Night was now upon
them, and all was still except the thud of the galloping hoofs upon the
plain.
Suddenly a gleam of fire was seen far ahead. The Texan noted it, and
swerved off to the left.
"There is the camp," he said. "I can easily find our resting-place now.
I was afraid we would not see their fires until we were right up to the
timber. But they are careless with their fire as they are with their
smoke. We shall have moonlight in an hour, and in less time we'll be in
camp."
He rode on now, more slowly, for the horses were tired, and he seemed to
know so well where to go that there was no haste.
The moon was just above the trees when the Texan led the way into a
narrow ravine, with heavy timber on either side. Up this, full ten
minutes they rode, and then an exclamation of pleased wonder broke from
the lips of Willie Pond. For they came out into an open circular plain
or area of several acres in extent, covered with rich grass and centered
by a bright, mirror-like lake.
"What a lovely spot!" cried Pond. "Who on earth would dream of finding
such a paradise inside of gates so dark and rude."
"One who had been here before," said the Texan. "But speak low, for
careless as they may be over there in camp, some one might be outside
listening."
"Why, it is over a mile away, is it not?"
"Yes, along the line of the wood. But over this cliff, were it crossed,
it is not a quarter of that distance."
And the Texan pointed to a rugged tree-crowned cliff on their right.
"I will be careful," said Pond. "My enthusiasm breaks out when I see
beautiful things. I can hardly restrain myself."
"We will unsaddle and camp. Our horses are tired, and need food and
drink," was all that the Texan said.
And he at once unloaded the pack-horse, and unsaddled his mustang.
Pond, becoming more handy, now did the same for Black Hawk, who seemed
to take quite a fancy to his new master, curving his back proudly under
his caressing touch.
"Shall I picket him, as we did at the last camp?" asked Pond, when he
had unsaddled his horse.
"No, let him go with mine. They have been together long enough to mate,
and they'll feed peaceably in company. Mine will never stray or
stampede, and the other will not go off alone."
The simple camp was soon fixed; and as they had cooked meat left, and
biscuit, with plenty of water to drink, both agreed that there was no
necessity to build any fire.
"The smell of smoke might reach some sharp-nosed scout over there," said
the Texan, "for the wind blows that way. We'll eat, and then turn in,
for rest will come good to both of us."
The horses plunged off to the water and drank, and then went to
cropping the luxuriant grass, while their masters ate their suppers
with appetites strengthened by their long and wearying ride.
After they had supped, Willie Pond would, as usual, have enjoyed his
dainty cigarette, had not the Texan warned him that tobacco smoke would
scent farther than any other, and might be more dangerous, in betraying
their presence, than anything else.
So Mr. Pond had to forego his smoke. He took a blanket, and moving up to
a little mossy knoll just under the edge of the cliff, threw himself
down to sleep.
The Texan also took his blanket, but he lay down near the saddles and
packs.
Pond was so very weary that he soon fell asleep. How long he slept he
did not know, but a strange, oppressive dream woke him, and with the
moonlight, shining full in the valley, while he lay shaded beneath a
tree and the overhanging cliff, he saw a sight which froze his very
heart with a mortal terror.
The ravine by which he and his companion had entered was filled with
mounted Indians, who were riding silently into the little valley.