It must be said that, so far as it was possible, Fred Munson was
furnished with every advantage that he could require. He had a rifle
suited to his size and strength, but it was one of the best ever made,
and long-continued and careful practice had made him quite skillful in
handling it. Besides this, both he and Mickey were provided each with
the fleetest and most intelligent mustang that money could purchase,
and when mounted and with a fair field before them, they had little to
fear from the pursuit of the Apaches and Comanches.

But it is the Indian's treacherous, cat-like nature that makes him so
dangerous, and against his wonderful cunning all the precautions of
the white men are frequently in vain.

"Now, Fred," said Mickey, after they had left Thompson, as he was on
the point of leaving the boy," I don't feel exactly aisy 'bout laving
you here, as me mother used to observe when she wint out from the
house, while I remained behind with the vittles. If one of the
spalpeens should slip up and find you asleep, he'd never let you wake
up."

"You need n't be afraid of my going to sleep," replied Fred, in a
voice of self-confidence. "I know what the danger is too well."

With a few more words they separated, and each took his station, the
Irishman somewhat consoled by the fact that from where he stood he was
able, he believed, to cover the position of the lad.

The moon overhead was gibbous, and there were no clouds in the sky.
Thompson's place was such that he was close to the river, which flowed