"All things, including starvation, come to him who waits long enough,"
said Obed White soberly.

"We'll jest set the day through," said the Panther, "an' see what turns
up."

But the day was quite peaceful. It was warmer than usual and bright with
sunshine. The Mexicans appeared on some of the knolls, seemingly near in
the thin clear air, but far enough away to be out of rifle shot, and
began to play cards or loll on their serapes. Several went to sleep.

"They mean to show us that they have all the time in the world," said
Ned to Will, "and that they are willing to wait until we fall like ripe
apples into their hands."

"Do you think they will get us again?" asked Will anxiously.

"I don't. We've got food for two days and I believe that something will
happen in our favor within that time. Do you notice, Will, that it's
beginning to cloud up again? In winter you can't depend upon bright
sunshine to last always. I think we're going to have a dark night and
it's given me an idea."

"What is it?"

"I won't tell you, because it may amount to nothing. It all depends upon
what kind of night we have."

The sun did not return. The clouds banked up more heavily, and in the
afternoon Ned went to the Panther. They talked together earnestly,