wrong with that fellow. Let me tell you, people do not creep up on
you in the dark as he did--not out here in the open country--unless
they mean mischief. If a man approaches a campfire or a cabin, he
hails. And that Mexican--"

She did not finish the sentence; but her earnestness served to take
Grace's mind off the disappearance of Walter. She had something
else to be frightened about!

Rhoda was not trying to frighten her friends, however. That would
be both needless and wicked. But she remembered the fact that there
were supposedly strangers in the neighborhood, and she did not know
who this Mexican lurking about the mouth of the bears' den might be.

The girls went back into the cave and sat down again. Rhoda held
the rifle across her lap, and they all listened for sounds from the
entrance to the cave. But all they heard was the stamping of the
horses and now and then the shrill and eerie cry from the depths of
the cavern.

When they made another trip to the mouth of the tunnel, it seemed
to be lighter outside, late in the evening as it was, and the
torrent in the gulch had receded greatly.

"I believe we can get out now," said Rhoda. "You take the rifle,
Grace. You are the best shot. And I will go after our ponies."

"Oh, no! I would be afraid," gasped the girl. "Give the gun to
Nan."