Alden was leaning against a wheel of the vehicle, in his favorite attitude. Now and then when he felt a faint drowsiness stealing over him, he moved about for a brief space until he felt fully awake. Then he listened to the heavy breathing which came from some of the wagons, to the stamping of the horses, some of which were still on their feet, with an occasional murmur of voices from those who had not yet drifted into forgetfulness. Suddenly through the stillness, Jethro Mix called in a husky undertone: “Helloa, Al, am you dere?” “Of course I am; what do you want?” “Dere’s somebody out dere, and not fur off, too!” was the startling explanation of the hail. “Haben’t you seed him?” “No. Is it an Indian?” “Dunno; he’s on de back ob a hoss; come ober here and take a look fur yourself.” Alden knew the objection to leaving his post, but he thought the circumstances justified him in joining his friend for a few minutes. He hastily crossed the intervening space. “Where did he show himself, Jeth?” “Right in front ob us; wait till dat cloud passes and you’ll see him suah.” The surprise came the next moment, when the clearing sky disclosed not one, but two horsemen, a few rods away. They had halted their ponies and were sitting side by side, evidently studying the camp as if in doubt whether to venture nearer. The first sight showed they were not Indians, but white men. Two equestrian statues could not have been more motionless than they. Placing one hand as a funnel, Alden called in a low voice: “Helloa, neighbors! Why don’t you come forward?” By way of reply the couple twitched their reins and rode to the edge of the camp. Neither dismounted. Alden noted that one was a large, bearded man, while his companion was a youth of about his own age. The two wore broad brimmed hats, which partly hid their features, but when the elder spoke, Alden fancied there was something familiar in his voice. “Good evening, friends,” he said. “We meant to call earlier, and it has grown so late that we shall defer it to-night. I presume all except the guards have turned in?” “They did so some time ago; it will not do for us to leave our stations, but we shall be glad to welcome you at any other time. You belong to the company that has gone into camp a little way from here?” “Yes; we have been in sight of each other for several days; had the situation become threatening because of Indians, I should have proposed that we unite, but everything seems to be peaceful.” “Have you had no trouble with them?” “None whatever, though we have seen many parties at a distance.” “We were attacked one night some weeks ago along the Platte, but drove them off without harm to us.” “How was it with _them_?” asked the man significantly. “We got several who were too venturesome.” Jethro could not restrain himself any longer. “Yas, and de fust warmint dat got soaked, _he_ done it――suah as you’s born!”