shadowy objects stooped, lifting something, and they went back as
noiselessly as they had come. In a few more moments they had vanished,
and the branches about them clashed in a rush of wind. It died away,
and there was no sound or sign of human presence in all the silent
wood. George, glad that the strain was over, was about to rise, but
his companion laid a hand on his arm.

"Give 'em time to get clear. We don't want to come up until there's
light enough to swear to them or they make the reservation."

They waited several minutes, and then, traversing the wood, found their
horses and mounted. The grass stretched away, blurred and shadowy, and
though they could see nothing that moved upon it, a beat of hoofs came
softly back to them.

"Wind's bringing the sound," said the teamster. "Guess they won't hear
us."

They rode out into the gray obscurity, losing the sound now and then.
They had gone several leagues when they came to the edge of a dark
bluff. Drawing bridle, they sat and listened, until the teamster broke
the silence.

"There's a trail runs through; we'll try it."

The trail was difficult to find and bad to follow, for long grass and
willow-scrub partly covered it, and in spite of their caution the men
made a good deal of noise. That, however, seemed of less importance,
for they could hear nothing ahead, and George looked about carefully as
they crossed a more open space. The trees were getting blacker and