"The smell of the meat the boys roasted for supper," replied Dan. "You know, we brought along some of those pigs we had for dinner." Some of the soldiers insisted on skinning the beast and taking the skin along as a trophy. As it was, there was little more sleep in the camp, for the horses continued to be restless, and it was hard to keep them quieted. "The panther's mate may be around," said Dan. "It is well to be on the lookout." Bruno was of no more use, for he had become sulky and gone and lain down. He could not understand that the blow Lawrence gave him had saved his life. If there was another panther around, he did not show himself, and at the break of day the troop was once more on the way. Along in the afternoon, Harry came rapidly riding from the rear, saying the foremost of the pursuers had been sighted. Hardly had he made his report when the faint sound of three or four shots was heard. "Harry, you, with Dan and Bruno, now take the advance," commanded Lawrence. "That is where we will have to look now for a surprise. Dan, take command, and ride at a good pace. I, with ten men, will look to the rear, and hold back the enemy." "Why not stop and fight them?" grumbled Dan. "I don't like this idea of running." "Because I don't wish to have a battle here, if I can help it," replied Lawrence. "If we fight, especially on anything like even terms, some of the men will be sure to be killed or wounded. Think of leaving any of the boys here in the mountains, wounded! It would be better for them to be shot than left wounded, for they would be sure to be murdered by guerrillas." "Reckon you are right; but it is against my principles to run," sighed Dan. "Don't be downhearted, old fellow," laughed Lawrence. "I expect to give them a fight; but I want to choose the ground and the manner of fighting." Dan's face brightened. "That's all right, Captain," he exclaimed. "I might have known you were up to some of your tricks." Lawrence now rode back to take charge of the rear. Major Powell, knowing he had two men to Lawrence's one, eagerly pressed forward; but his enthusiasm was a little cooled when his advance was driven back with a loss of one killed and two wounded, and he began to be a little more careful. By taking advantage of every little inequality of ground, Lawrence was able to hold the enemy well in check for some miles; but at length they came to a place where the valley spread out, and flank movements were easy, and it soon became a test of speed and endurance of the horses. "This will never do," thought Lawrence. "I must find a place to stop and fight them, and that soon." Leaving the rear guard in charge of a sergeant, he rode rapidly to the front. "Horses getting winded," said Dan. "We will have to stop and fight." "At the first favorable place, Dan. Tell the boys to keep up the pace a little longer."