"Lead on, Macduff," said Obed, "and there's nobody who will cry 'hold,
enough.'"

The Panther waded directly into the middle of the stream, and all the
others followed. The horses, splashing the water, made some noise, but
they were not so careful in that particular now since they had put a
mile between themselves and the grove. In fact, the Panther urged them
to greater speed, careless of the sounds, and they kept in the water for
a full two miles further. Then they quit the stream at a point where the
soil seemed least likely to leave traces of their footsteps, and stood
for a little while upon the prairie, resting and shivering. Then they
started at a rapid pace across the country, pushing for the Rio Grande
until noon. Then Fields stalked and shot an antelope, with which they
renewed their supply of food. In the afternoon it rained heavily, but by
dark they reached the Rio Grande, across which they made a dangerous
passage, as the waters had risen, and stood once more on the soil of
Texas.

"Thank God!" said Will.

"Thank God!" repeated Ned.

Then they looked for shelter, which all felt they must have.




CHAPTER IV