“Something frightened them on the other side--a pack of wolves, I think--and they swam back again, landing at another point below. It showed me a crossing place, and I let several of my men into the secret and used to send couriers that way to and from my retreat to the Indian village. As the known fords are now guarded by troops, we will cross this way, if you are not too much alarmed.” “And if I am you will go to the regular ford?” “Oh, no; I am no fool, to run upon the soldiers.” “What will you do if I have not the nerve to go across?” “Simply go around by a ford that will give us two days’ hard travel.” “Never mind me, then; cross by the secret ford, for I can venture it if you can.” The outlaw then rode on, leading her horse, the Indians having gone to the camping place. Lucille was alone on the mountaintop, and gazed about her in rapt admiration. At last she said: “If I had my horse and a good start, I would risk finding my way back to the Overland Trail, for I watched all along closely, and my horse would retrace his tracks, I believe. “But, no, I must accept the situation as it is, and take things as they come. “The outlaw, from what he says, seems to think the fords are guarded by a large force, so I will not undeceive him. “Even now my father may be within a few miles of me, and, oh! if he only knew.” The girl weakened for a moment, but quickly rallied from her emotions and continued her gaze for quite a while. Then she strolled about the mountaintop, plucked a few wild flowers clinging among the rocks, and next started down to the camp with the remark: “Ah! I get the odors of boiling bacon and coffee, for the wind blows up from the camp. It makes me hungry, so I’ll go down to dinner.” Down she went, soon to come upon the trail, and she was glad to find dinner ready, and enjoyed it. Mounting again, the chief said: “We must ride hard now, for the river will have to be behind us when the sun sets. Are you very tired, Miss Fallon?” “Oh, no.” So on they went at a very slow pace for several miles in going down the mountain, and then when they struck good traveling, they pushed rapidly on, the chief not sparing the horses now. The sun was over an hour high when the river came into view. A halt was made to cool the horses off a little, then, riding down a steep ravine to the water, the chief said: “I’ll take your bridle rein here, Miss Fallon. Permit me to fold this rubber blanket around your feet and form, and you will not get in the least wet. Let your horse have full rein and do not be alarmed.” “I am not in the least alarmed,” was the reply, and she permitted the chief to fold the rubber blanket about her in such a way that she would not get wet when her horse was back deep in swimming. Then the chief rode in, she followed, her horse led, and the Indians came behind with the pack horses. The animals began to swim almost immediately, and the brave girl rather enjoyed the scene than dreaded it.