they may have fallen. At the imminent risk of losing his own life a
warrior had stolen up and drawn away the remains of his former comrade.

The mysterious shots seemed to come from the other side of the ravine, and
they naturally had a very demoralizing effect upon the party. Lone Wolf
was not only brave, but sagacious and prudent. He was not the chief to
allow his warriors to stand idly and permit themselves to be picked off
one by one by an unseen enemy. But for the latter, he would have descended
into the fissure, and, with several of his most reliable braves, captured
and secured Mickey and his companion at all hazards. But what assurance
could he have that after he and his men had entered the little ravine, a
whole party of Kiowas would not swarm in, overwhelm them, and make off
with their horses? So the leader concluded for the time being to remain
outside, where his line of retreat would be open, while he could arrange
his plans for disposing of the whites at his leisure.

Lone Wolf dispatched two of his most skillful scouts, one to the right,
the other to the left, with orders to get to the rear of the enemy, no
matter how long a detour was necessary. In case they were unable to
extinguish them, they were to signal or return for assistance. After
sending off his trusty messengers, Lone Wolf concluded to hold back until
their return, keeping himself and his braves pretty well concealed, but
guarding against the capture of their horses in the ravine below, or the
escape of the two fugitives, who might attempt to take advantage of the
diversion.

At the end of an hour, nothing had been seen or heard of the Apache scouts
sent out, and the chief dispatched another to learn what was going on, and
what was the cause of the trouble. During this hour not a rifle-shot was
detected by the waiting, listening ears. Another half hour passed away,