“No, this White-man-runs-him seems to be awake to the trick, for he said ‘paper lie’ would burn with us.” “Excuse me! if they are going to talk fire before they take us, I, for one, am not going to be taken easily. The sooner we get out of this part of the country the better. We had better keep to the rocks as much as possible, so the trailers can’t follow us. And another thing we must remember, is to keep well down in the gullies and dark places, where Buffalo Bill’s party can’t see us, if they are on the watch from the heights.” At mid-forenoon Price was exhausted and unable to stagger any farther. So they descended into a deep cañon where the gloom at that time of day was like evening, and there found a brook and in it sizable grayling. They had neither hook nor line, but by damming the brook, at a narrow place above, Price and Ike allowed the water to run from a pool below and then picked up a bounteous roast of the little fishes. The prospects of relief from hunger somewhat cheered these fellows, who were getting a foretaste of torment, even before they had departed the terrestrial sphere. Both men became quite cheerful as they hastened up the gully in search of material that would acknowledge the influence of fire. They found some dry-kye and pitchy knots, which promised a fire that would seem friendly and at the same time cook the precious little pile of fishes. As they made their way back to the spot chosen for a camp ground, and from whence their smoke could not be seen in any direction, they were quite cheerful, and chatted together in low tones, for they had not yet overcome the fear that enemies were lurking near. But when they came to the opening in the rocks what a surprise and disappointment awaited them. A large grizzly bear sat munching their fish with apparent approval and satisfaction. CHAPTER XXVIII. A SUCCESSION OF SURPRISES. It was agreed to leave two of the miners to guard the camp and horses, and that the other eight should set out in search of Price and Bloody Ike. Little Buffalo Bill was to go with the scout; Avery and Hickok went in another direction; Nomad and Cayuse took up the search together, and Skibo and the third miner made up the fourth party. It had been decided to thoroughly scout that portion of the mountains and if possible “put the kibosh” on the pair of rascals who were not only a menace to any community, but a pest when turned loose in the wilds, preying on man and beast, without mercy and in most dastardly manner. The miners were delighted at discovering their other keg of powder and the bags of food stuff where Ike had dropped them. The cost of packing, food, tools, and powder into this wild territory was disheartening. “What shall Ah do wiv dem human alligators, if Ah comes up to um in de mountings an’ dey ’fuses ter be brung in, Mars’ Billyum?” “Use them as you did the bull at Cooley’s ranch--take them by the horns and twist their heads off,” interrupted Hickok.