afternoon when the collision occurred between them and the Apaches, and
enough time had already passed to bring the night quite close at hand. An
hour or so more, and darkness would be upon them.

"I don't belave the spalpeens have found put just the precise spot where
we've stowed away," said Mickey, in his cautious undertone, to his
companion, "for I've no evidence that such is the case."

"They may take it into their heads to come into the fissure again, and
then where are we?"

"Right here, every time. We couldn't get a better spot, unless it might be
at the mouth."

"Don't you think we had better go there?" asked the lad, who could not
feel the assurance of his friend.

"I see nothing to be gained by the same, as Tim O'Loony said when some one
told him that honesty was the best policy. If we start to return there,
they'll find out where we are, and begin to roll stones on us. I don't
want to go along, dodging rocks as big as a house, wid an occasional
rifle-shot thrown in, by way of variety."

"Don't you fear they will creep in and try to surprise us?"

"Not before dark, and then we can shift our position."

"Do you believe there is any hope at all for us in the way of getting
out?"