we've passed?"

"It does seem as if something of the kind might be, and yet that don't
sthrike me as the Injin style of doing business."

They continued their moderate pace for quite a distance further,
continually looking back toward the camp-fire, the smoke from which
continued to ascend with the same distinct regularity as before, but
nothing resembling a warrior was detected. Finally a curve in the gorge
shut out the troublesome signal, and they were left to continue their way
and conjecture as much as they chose as to the explanation of what had
taken place.

A little later, and when the afternoon was about half gone, they reached a
portion of the pass which was remarkably straight, so that the eye took in
a half mile of it, from the beginning to the point where another turn
intervened. The two friends were galloping over this exact section and
speculating as to how soon they would strike the open prairie, when all
their calculations were knocked topsy-turvy. A party of horsemen charged
around the bend in front, all riding at a sweeping gallop directly toward
the alarmed Mickey and Fred, who instantly halted and surveyed them. A
second glance showed them to be Indians, undoubtedly Apaches, and very
probably Lone Wolf himself and some of his warriors.

"We must turn back," said the Irishman, wheeling his horse about and
striking him into a rapid gait. "We've got to have a dead run for it, and
I think we can win. Holy saints presarve us!"

This ejaculation was caused by seeing, at that moment, another party of
horsemen appear directly in their front, as they turned on the back trail.