"You'd better ask Mr. Hesitation Kane to explain."

"And get another cryptic answer? No, thanks! I want to know--There
it is again!"

The sound was closer. Nan suddenly laughed.

"Why," she cried, "I know what it is. It's a horse--a wild horse.
Of course!"

"But he said 'outlaw.' Oh!" added Walter suddenly, "I know now.
Some of the wild stallions never can be tamed. I've read about
them. Of course, it is a stallion. We heard them calling
day-before-yesterday.

"Well, I never!" chuckled Walter. "That fellow had me fooled. I
didn't know but we were about to be attacked by Mexican robbers."

"Oh, Walter! do you suppose they were desperadoes who came through
the Gap day-before-yesterday morning?" Nan asked.

"I don't know. Maybe Rhoda and her father were fooling."

"But they take it so coolly."

"They take everything coolly," said the boy, with admiration. "I
never saw such people! Why, these cowboys do the greatest stunts on
horseback, and make no bones of it. No circus or Wild West show was
ever the equal of it.