"Why, what else could it be, Baby?" asked Ballyhoo, repressing his own uneasiness. "That's just what I want to find out; I tell you, I don't think we ought to stay here, when it's pretty sure something is wrong at the house; if the Comanches are going to keep this up, it will never do to leave the women alone; I shall have to go back and stay with them." "I can't believe it's that, but we shall soon know." He sprang into the saddle, and the two rode to the elevation which has already been referred to several times. "I will wait here," said the elder, checking his animals, "while you ride on to the cabin." Avon looked inquiringly at him. "Don't you think it best you should go with me?" "No; I will keep you under my eye all the way; if you see anything out of gear, you need only to signal, and I will fetch two or three of the boys with me." It struck the youth as strange that Ballyhoo should stop after starting for the dwelling. The young man had made up his mind there was something wrong there, and it seemed to him like a waste of time for his friend to hold back. However, he said nothing further in the way of protest, but, speaking briskly to Thunderbolt, sent him off at headlong speed toward the cabin. "I am afraid this knocks all my plans to smithereens," he said to himself; "for if there is the least danger of the Comanches putting in their appearance again, it would never do for me to leave home. It is bad enough for uncle to go, but there is no help in his case, while there is in mine." As he drew near the dwelling his feelings intensified, and all other thoughts went from him. "I don't see a sign of a living person," he added, slowing the gait of his steed; "suppose the Comanches made a descent upon them in the night and managed to secure entrance--well, by gracious!" CHAPTER XXV. HEADING NORTHWARD. Avon Burnet's misgiving increased as he drew near the cabin of his uncle, for the unwonted stillness was impressive to the last degree. The only sign of life which caught his eye was the horse cropping the grass near the mesquite bush. It seemed dangerous to do as he did, but in his anxiety he sprang to the ground and walked hastily to the front of the dwelling. Observing the latch-string out, he gave it a sharp twitch and the door swung open. Dinah confronted him with a look of surprise, and just beyond her, he saw his aunt preparing the morning meal. "Why, Avon, you are frightened," said she with a smile. "So I am; where's uncle?" "He will be down in a minute; when I awoke, I saw he was asleep, and I concluded not to awake him. You know he had a hard time yesterday and last night, and I took the responsibility of not calling him. The poor man needs rest and it won't hurt you folks to wait a while." The youth dropped into a chair and laughed. "Well, now, that beats everything! We were worried half to death, and feared something dreadful had happened."