depression in the plain. If we can reach it we shall be safe---"

"Yes, if we can reach it," repeated Ned.

"In doing so we should be shot in all probability," objected Professor
Zepplin.

"I think not, sir."

"Explain what you mean?"

"From the position occupied by the man or men when they fired at us
out there, I am sure they could not see us were we to follow the
course I went out on just now. If you will ride down to the edge of
the foothills with me and wait there, I will gallop out and prove my
theory."

"What do you mean?" questioned the professor.

"I will see if I can draw their fire," answered Tad.

Professor Zepplin shook his head.

"Too risky!"

"It certainly is risky to stay here. Listen, sir. If that man wants
to get us he surely will be creeping down on our position before long.
We are in greater peril here, where we can't see anything on one side
of us, than we would be out there where we have an unobstructed view on
all sides. My plan is to make camp out in the hollow; then we will