They rode now in silence for quite a while, and then Red Blaze suddenly
announced:

"We're at the top, boys."




CHAPTER IV

THE FIGHT IN THE PASS


The three halted their horses and stood for a minute or two on the very
crest of the pass. The fierce wind out of the northwest blew directly
in their faces and both riders and horses alike were covered with snow.
But Dick felt a wonderful thrill as he gazed upon the vast white
wilderness. East and west, north and south he saw the driving snow
and the lofty peaks and ridges showing through it, white themselves.
The towns below and the cabins that snuggled in the coves were
completely hidden. They could see no sign of human life on slope or
in valley.

"Looks as wild as the Rockies," said the sergeant tersely.

"But you won't find any Injuns here to ambush you," said Red Blaze,
"though I don't make any guarantee against bushwhackers and guerillas,
who'll change sides as often as two or three times a day, if it will
suit their convenience. They could hide in the woods along the road an'
pick us off as easy as I'd shoot a squirrel out of a tree. They'd like