the side of the lad, as if it were involuntary, and intended to
further the convenience of conversation; but Fred suspected his
purpose, and warned him back.

"Lone Wolf, if you want to carry your life away with you, you will go
at once. I do n't want to shoot you, but if you come any nearer or
wait any longer, I'll fire. I'm tired of holding this gun, and it may
go off itself."

The Apache chief made no answer, but, with his eyes fixed upon the
lad, took a step backward, as an earnest of his intention of obeying.
Reaching the log, he hastily clambered over it and speedily vanished
like a phantom in the gloom of the wood beyond, leaving the boy master
of the field.


CHAPTER V
THE APACHES ARE COMING

As soon as Lone Wolf was out of sight, young Munson stepped back in
the shadow of the wood, and quickly placed himself behind the trunk of
a large tree. He had learned the nature of the Indian race too well
for him to give this precious specimen any chance to circumvent him.
Had he remained standing in the moonlight opening, after the Apache
entered the wood, the latter could not have had a better opportunity
to pick him off without danger to himself. Had he meditated any such
purpose, when he wheeled to fire the shot there would have been no
target visible.

The strained ear of the lad could not detect the slightest rustling