and the third man sent out by Lone Wolf came back alone, and with
astounding tidings.

He had found both of the warriors lying within a few yards of each other,
stone dead. He sought for some explanation of the strange occurrence, but
found none, and returned with the news to his leader.

The latter was about as furious as a wild Indian could be, without
exploding. Lone Wolf had his own theory of the thing, and he inquired
particularly as to the manner in which the fatal wounds seemed to have
been inflicted. When they were described, all doubt was removed from the
mind of the chieftain.

He knew where the fatal shots came from, and he determined that there was
no better time to "square accounts." Calling the larger portion of his
company about him, he started backward and away from the ravine, his
purpose being to reach the rear of his enemy by a long detour.




CHAPTER XVIII.

AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE.


All this was grist for Mickey and Fred. The long silence and inaction--so
far as these two were concerned--of the Apaches convinced the fugitives
that some important interruption was going on, and that it could not fail
to operate in the most direct way in their favor. It was well into the