Part 42 (1/2)

”No, I know that,” replied the Doctor; ”but that is too dangerous a task”

”I'erous tasks now, sir,” said Bart; ”they are so exciting”

”Well, go then,” said the Doctor; ”but you must be mounted, or you will have no chance of retreat; and of course you will all keep a sharp look-out in case the Indians swoop down”

Bart promised, and went at once to the Beaver and Joses

”I'm to come too, ain't I?” said the latter

”No, you are to help keep guard,” was the reply; and very sulkily Joses resumed his place, while the Beaver descended with Bart and four of his men to enter the rock stable and obtain their horses, the rest having to re while their companions were mounted and ridden out; the Indian ponies in particular resenting the indignity of being shut up again behind the stones by turning round and kicking vehemently

The Apaches were so far distant that Bart was in hopes that they would not see the reconnaissance that was being made, as he rode out at the head of his little Indian party, after fully explaining to the Beaver that which they were to do

His first step was to inspect the part of the mountain on the side that was nearest to the chimney, and the chasm into which they had descended to see the silver on their first co

This was the shortest portion by far, and it had the advantage of a good deal of cover in the shape of detached rocks, which sheltered them from the eyes of those upon the plain; but all the saood places for observing theshould they approach; the plan being to take refuge beneath the gallery, where they would be covered by the rifles of Joses and their friends

It was not at all a difficult task to satisfy the allery to the precipice at the edge of the canyon was utterly i every crack and rift that ran upwards, the little party cantered back, said a feords to Joses, and then prepared for theirthe mountain round by its northern and more open side, for there was no cover here, and their path would be more fully in view of any watchful eye upon the plain

They drew up by the gateway, and had a few :

”You can soon satisfy yourself, Bart; but give a good look up as you co”

”I'll be careful,” said Bart eagerly

”Mind that scouts are left I should leave at least three at different points on the road They can give you warning at once Then gallop back as if you were in a race We shall be ready to cover you with our rifles if they come on Now lose no time Go!”

Bart touched Black Boy with his heels, and went off at a canter, but checked his speed instantly, so that he aze up at the hly intent upon his task, the Beaver left scouts at intervals, eachthere like a statue watching the plain

No Indians were in sight as far as Bart could see, and he rode slowly on, inspecting every opening in the face of the mountain, and so intent upon his task that he left the care of his person to the chief, whose watchful eyes were everywhere, now pointing out rifts in the rock, now searching the plain

It was a er distance, and the iave a piquancy to the ride that h Bart's veins He could not help a little shudder running through hih it was almost more of a thrill, and he could not have told, had he been asked, whether it was a thrill of dread or of pleasure Perhaps thereover his right shoulder fro at full gallop over the plain

Half the distance was ridden over, and this gave confidence to the adventurer, who rode more steadily on, and spared no pains tono possibility of the Indians reaching the top from that side

On went Bart, and three-fourths of the ere passed with nothing overhead but towering perpendicular rocks, i but a fly to scale The Indians had been left one after the other as scouting sentries, and at last, when no one was in coe of the canyon on this side ell in sight, and only a few hundred yards of the rock remained to be inspected

”We will do this, at all events,” said Bart, pressing his cob's sides with his heels; and he cantered on, for the face of the mountain was now so perpendicular and s its safety at a glance

Only about three hundred yardsa barrier of rock so steep, as well as soto fear on that side Only these three hundred yards to exaood as done, for every step taken by the horses then would be one nearer to safety Bart had ridden on, leaving the Beaver, who had drawn rein, looking back at the plain, when suddenly there was a warning cry, and the lad looked over his shoulder to see the Beaver signalling to hiht Bart excitedly, and instead of turning, he pressed his horse's flanks and galloped on to finish his task, rejoicing in the fact as he reached the canyon edge that he had seen every yard of the mountain-side, and that it was even ateway

”Now for back at a gallop,” said Bart, as thrilling with excitee of the canyon, he prepared to start back, when, to his horror, he saw a party of dismounted Indians rise up as it were from the canyon about a hundred yards away, the place evidently where they hadthe sal horseman, but as Black Boy bounded forward they stopped short A score of bullets ca about Bart's ears, and as the reports of the pieces echoed froht up and fell over backwards, Bart saving hi on one side, and fortunately retaining his hold of the bridle as the cob scra on, and Bart in his confusion felt that he must either use rifle or knife, he could not tell which, there was a rush of hoofs, a quick check, and a hand gripped him by the collar

For a moment he turned to defend himself, but as he did so he saw that it was a friend, and his hand closed upon the Indian pony'shard, he cantered off with Bart, half running, half lifted at every plunge as the ponyrifle in hand

”Lethis own pony's mane hard as it raced on close beside the Beaver's; and with a hand upon each, he gave a bound and a swing and landed in his saddle, just as the Apaches halted to fire another volley