"That is, if they don't come back," returned Maybe Dixon, dryly. "Do you think they will?" questioned Si. "I shan't give them a thing more." "I didn't like their looks," remarked Bob. "They seemed a treacherous lot." They passed on until nightfall. It was very cold and they were glad enough to bring in such firewood as was handy and start a big blaze. Around this they huddled and cooked their supper. "We'll be up against winter for certain putty soon now," said Maybe Dixon. "Maybe it will catch us afore we know it." "Oh, I trust we get out of the mountains before it comes," answered Mark. All were utterly worn out from the day's traveling and glad enough to lie down to rest. They found a little patch of brushwood growing among the rocks, and there proceeded to make themselves as comfortable as circumstances permitted. It was no soft bed, but it was the best to be found, and nobody thought of grumbling. Mark had been asleep about two hours when he awoke with a sudden start. He had been dreaming of home and of his step-father, and imagined Jadell Powers had him by the foot and was dragging him across the floor of the dingy law office. He opened his eyes widely and stared around him. All was dark, but in the gloom he discerned several forms moving around. The forms were those of Indians, and the red men were going through the packs which lay beside the mule. To the packs and the mule was attached a light string and the other end of the string was tied to Mark's foot. "Indians!" he burst out. "Hi! wake up! The Indians are here!" His cry was so shrill that it awoke everybody in the camp, and all leaped to their feet. "What's up?" "Where are the Indians?" "There they go!" answered Mark. "They were at our packs." "The old Nick, you say!" burst out Maybe Dixon. He reached for his rifle, which rested under him. "I'll give 'em something to remember us by!" But before he could take aim the Indians had vanished in the gloom of the night. They heard the footsteps resounding on the rocks, then heard the red men mount their ponies and gallop away. "They are gone," said Bob. "I say, I don't like this at all!" "Nor I," came from Si. He gave a shiver. "They might have murdered every one of us while we slept!" "That is so," said Mark. "How did you happen to spot them?" "They must have pulled on the string which was fastened to my foot. I've used the string ever since Sag Ruff ran off with the outfit." The fire was stirred up and they took a good look around that vicinity. But the Indians were gone, nor did they return that night. "I suppose it would be best for somebody to remain on guard every night after this," said Mark, after the search had come to an end. "We'd be in a pretty pickle if we lost our outfit." "We'd starve to death," said Si. "Especially if they happened to steal our guns, too." "Well, we can divide up each night and each take his turn at watching," said Bob; and so it was arranged.