sparkled brightly in the moonlight.

"Here we are," said Mickey. "here's the spot where I left my cratur a
couple of days ago, and where I don't see him just now. Use your eyes a
bit, and tell me whether you obsarve him."

Fred was scarcely less anxious than his friend to recover the steed, for,
recalling his experience in that line, he had good reason to mistrust
Indian horses. It would be very awkward, when they should find a party of
Apaches howling and rushing down upon them, to have the animal turn calmly
about and trot back to his former friends, carrying his two riders into
captivity, or leaving them to shift for themselves.

Nothing could be seen of the creature, but there was a fringe of wood on
the opposite side where he might be concealed, and Mickey slid off the
blanket with the intention of hunting for him.

"Don't let this spalpeen give ye the slip," he cautioned the lad, as he
gave the lariat into his hand; "for if mine is gone, this is the only one
we have to depend on, and we can't spare him."

Fred felt a little uncomfortable when he found himself alone and astride
of the fiery steed, which pricked up his ears as though he meditated
mischief; but the horse seemed to think better of it, and continued so
quiet that the young rider ventured to transfer his attention from him to
Mickey, who was moving across the open space in the direction of the wood
upon the opposite side.

The moonlight was so clear that he could be as plainly seen, almost, as if
it were midday. As he moved along, he brought his rifle around to the