The grove which was guarded in this manner, it will be understood, was
nearly square in shape, reaching from the shore of the Rio Pecos on
toward the left until the termination of the valley in that direction
had been gained. It had been so plentifully drawn upon for logs and
lumber that here and there were spaces from which, several trees
having been cut, the moon's rays found unobstructed entrance. One of
these oasis, as they may be termed, was directly in the rear of Fred,
who noticed it while reconnoitering his position. The open space was
some twenty feet square, and was bisected by the trunk of a large
cottonwood, which had fallen directly across it.

Being left entirely to himself, the boy now devoted himself to the
somewhat dismal task of keeping watch, an occupation that cannot be
classed as the most cheerful in which a man may engage. The
excitement and apprehension that marked the first two or three hours
prevented the time from hanging too heavily upon his hands, but as the
night stole along and nothing was heard or seen to cause alarm, the
fear grew less and less, until, like a boy, he began to suspect that
all these precautions were useless.

For the twentieth time he stood up and listened. The soft, musical
murmur of the Rio Pecos was heard, as it flowed by on his right, and
now and then the gentlest possible breath of night-wind disturbed the
branches overhead; but nothing else caught his notice. To prevent the
feeling of utter loneliness from gaining possession of him, Fred
occasionally emitted a low, soft, tremulous whistle, which was
instantly responded to from the direction of Mickey. It was the old
familiar signal which they had used many a time when off on their
little hunting expeditions, and either, hearing it, could not mistake