mighty glad when we saw you, wasn't we, Hal?"

This question was too much for Hal. The boys looked into each others
faces for a moment, then burst into tears.

Everybody about camp was delighted with their safe return, and they were
obliged many times to repeat their story, not forgetting a description of
their supper on dog meat, in the Comanches' camp.


CHAPTER V.

On the following morning the camp was astir and we were under way at a
very early hour,--long before sunrise, in fact,--but we had hardly
proceeded a mile from our halting-place, before one of the Mexicans, who
was riding ahead of the wagons, came rushing back with the information
that there was a large body of Indians a short distance in advance of us.

"It's the balance of them cusses that had the boys, as true as preachin,"
exclaimed Jerry. "The sneaks! I s'pose they found out all they wanted to
from 'em, and then let 'em go. Ther best thing we kin do is ter camp
right here whar we've got water and grass, and git ready for a brush;
'cause they'll fight us, if ther's any show for 'em, you bet."

"We'll jist camp right on this knoll, and then we shall have a fair
chance all round; get your animals corralled with the wagons, and then
we'll ride out and meet 'em, that is, we must keep 'em as far away from
the wagons as possible."

Everything was soon arranged; but, to our surprise, the Indians made no