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thus to turn them back toward camp in case they should frighten. 
He came within a few feet of the the- bunch and coming quite 
close was about to place his hand on the head of the old bald- 
faced bell-horse when the horse shook his head and there was 
no bell, and it suddenly dawned upon Tom that these strange 
movements were not made of their own will but under the guidance 
of the band of Indian desperadoes♦ The explanation came very 
suddenly. A flash of lightning revealed the crouching forms of 
two savages.almost within the reach of his foot, engaged in cut¬ 
ting the hobSLes from the two hobbled mules. They caught sight 
of him and at the same moment and were so struck with amazement 
that they thought only of flight. With a bound they sprang 
upon their ponies and were off like a shot. Tom, doubtless 
somewhat paralyzed, did not take to flight but jumping upon 
the nearest mule started the herd and then led off for camp 
uttering the most fearful yells at every jump. The red¬ 
skins, as they flew up the valley and over the rolling hills 
mast have felt their blood freeze at the very sound. Certainly 
they did not stop until many miles intervened between them and 
the scene of their fright. In half an hour our animals were 
all safe in camp. We could hardly cease congratulating our¬ 
selves on having escaped a great disaster - that of being set 
afoot in a desert 200 miles from the nearest habitation. 
August 5th. On the following morning we rode out to 
the scene of the mutual surprise party and there found the 
