CHAPTER XXXVI. 



AS IN THE OLDEN DAYS. 



**TJ MEAN to steal round behind him and try the lasso." 



"Then I think I'd better take my seat by you, so that I'll face him, 

 T instead of having my back toward him: I'd like to have a chance, too, to 

 see the fun." 



" Be careful that you don't scare him away." 



" I'll look out for that." 



No one would have supposed from viewing the two men, and overhearing, with* 

 out understanding their words, that there had been the least change in the subject 

 of their conversation. Both were smoking, and the murmur of their voices sounded 

 the same as before in the ears of the native guards. 



The latter were walking back and forth on the side of the camp opposite the 

 wild man, who was so cautious in his movements that there was no fear of his being 

 discovered by either of the other sentinels. 



It was at the moment that the fire flamed up so high, under the stirring given it 

 by Mr. Godkin, that the keen-eyed Texan caught the outlines of a head and shoul- 

 ders as they dropped down in the shadow behind the director. 



The single glimpse was enough to explain the nature of what he saw. It was 

 evident that the wild man was reconnoitering, or, more likely, seeking a position 

 close enough to allow him to hurl his spear, or discharge his bow and arrow, and 

 then make off before he was seen. 



Mr. Godkin sauntered to the other side of the fire, and sat down on the ground 

 beside Jack Harvey. 



" How many are there ? " asked the elder. 



" I saw only one, but there's no telling how many others are sneaking about in 

 the darkness." 



" There can't be many, or Wart and Adz would have learned it. How are yo 

 going to work it ? " 



" I mean to steal behind the chap and nab him." 



" I don't believe you will succeed, but go ahead; we'll have some sport, anyway. 1 * 



" I'll leave my gun here," said Jack, laying down his pipe and the weapon, " for 

 I want the free use of my arms, and I'll take along the lasso." 



" You may need the free use of your rifle," suggested Mr. Godkin, " and you had 

 better do as you are accustomed to when on horseback." 



The Texan, however, moved off without his chief weapon. If he ran into any 

 trouble, he had his revolvers, while he was close enough to friends to call then to 

 his help. 



