This was astounding¹ news, indeed, and for a few minutes the two veteran hunters were completely taken back. They had considered the place where their animals were picketed² as being so secure that the contingency³ of losing them was not thought of until it came upon them with the suddenness mentioned.  
"They didn't find them themselves," growled⁴ Tom, as if determined⁵ on finding consolation⁶ in that fact; "they've stumbled onto 'em accidental-like, and then rid off, as though they were smart enough to be reg'lar hoss-thieves."
 
"Have you seen the trail?" asked Dick.
 
"Yes."
 
"Whereaway does it lead?"
 
The hunter replied by pointing toward the northwest, among the hills and mountains in the wildest portion of the country.
 
A hurried consultation⁷ now took place between them, and it was resolved to recover the two mustangs. They counted it easy to secure a couple of the Indian ponies⁸; but among them all were none which, in their own estimation, could compare with their own, and they were determined not to leave the country until they were regained⁹. The most skillful Apache may succeed in hiding his own trail at times, but he cannot cover that of his horse so that the trained scout¹⁰ will fail to find it.
 
It was found that the mustangs had been ridden away without being accompanied by other animals. The number of moccasin tracks at a certain point showed that a party of warriors¹² had accidentally detected the animals, each of which was mounted by a single Indian and ridden away, the warriors taking altogether a different direction. This simplified matters, and was not displeasing¹³ to Dick and Tom, for two of these active redskins could, as a matter of course, be circumvented¹⁴ with much more ease than could ten times that number.
 
Accompanied by Ned, the hunters led the way up out of the hollow, crossed as it was by the stream of icy cold and clear water and covered with the richest grass, and entered a more rocky section, where the horses must have experienced considerable difficulty in traveling, as numerous places showed where their hoofs¹⁵ had slipped upon the stones.
 
"We can beat them on that," said Dick, when they had trailed them for a short distance. "They can't be many hours ahead of us, and when we do catch up with 'em, Tom, we'll warm 'em; what do you say?"
 
Tom nodded his head to signify that he agreed with these sentiments exactly, and the trio pressed forward harder than ever.
 
There were many places in which the thieves had progressed with no little trouble, and their pursuers, unimpeded by the mustangs, were gaining rapidly upon them; but this by no means insured success. A hundred difficulties remained in the way, and the most that the two hunters could hope was that the two Apaches had no suspicion of being followed. If they believed themselves secure, it followed as a matter of course that they would take no precautions against any surprise from the rear. The hunters went forward at a rate which was exceedingly trying to Ned, but he bravely held up until something like a mile was passed, when Tom, who acted as a leader, suddenly paused.
 
"We must wait here till we make an observation," said he, in a low tone. "I take it that we aren't very far from the scamps, and we must look out and not spile the whole thing when we've got it all in shape."
 
For the entire distance they had been steadily¹⁶ advancing upon higher ground, and having now reached the culminating point, it was necessary to look ahead and learn whither they were going before making any rash venture into an entirely¹⁷ different section. While Dick and Ned, therefore, remained where they were, Tom stole cautiously forward for some distance further, until he reached a high, flat rock, the edge of which he approached on his hands and knees, and stealthily peered over.
 
Only a few seconds did he spend thus when he began retrograding, like a crab¹⁸.
 
"I think I've hit the spot," he said in an undertone, as he rejoined his friends. "There's a sort of path which leads down into the lower country, and as that's the only way the hosses can travel, it follers that they must have gone that way. That 'ere place that I was speakin' of goes down into a spot a good deal like the one where we expected to find the animiles and didn't, and there's where I think we'll find 'em awaitin' for us."
 
"Do you see any sign?" inquired Dick.
 
"Not yet; they wouldn't be likely to kindle¹⁹ a camp fire at this time of day, and afore they jined the others. Come ahead, we must be mighty

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