"There's a storm in the air; we are going to have a regular driving rain, that will soak the roof until a ton of live-coals on the top wouldn't set fire to the planking."

"Baby is right," said Ballyhoo, with a nod of his head; "rain will fall within twelve hours."

"That _is_ good news," said the wife, with a pleased look; "I shall now see the captain and the rest of you leave without a misgiving as concerns ourselves."

"You wouldn't feel frightened, Edna, if old Wygwind and his gang of imps should come whooping down upon you?" asked the captain, looking sideways, with an expression of admiration and love glowing from his s.h.a.ggy face.

"I don't pretend to say we would not be frightened, but Dinah and I would feel secure inside, so long as there was no danger of the building being burned. I wonder whether Wygwind led this party."

"I shouldn't be surprised if he did; he's one of the worst scamps that ever lived."

"You're right," a.s.sented Ballyhoo. "I believe he led this gang, though a chap couldn't tell in the darkness. You know what a thief he is."

The allusion was to the notorious Comanche Wygwind, one of the many leaders belonging to that tribe. He was a powerful, wiry Indian, in middle life, who had long been detested by the ranchmen for his thievish and brutal propensities. He had stolen hundreds of cattle, not to mention horses, and though often pursued, and driven more than once into dangerous quarters, he had managed in some way to pull through to the present time.

"If he should get inside," said the captain slyly, "and you should get the drop on him, wife, I advise that you don't let him walk out of the door unharmed."

"That depends on circ.u.mstances," quietly replied his better half; "if he should appeal to me, and he had done no particular harm, I could hardly refuse him. However, I don't think if he does enter it will be through the scuttle."

"The next time it will be best to turn him over to the mercies of Dinah."

"I am afraid it will go ill with him if I do. I heard her say to herself, when she went upstairs after you, that, on the return trip, she meant to fall from the round of the ladder upon him: the result would have been frightful."

"Yes; that red man doesn't know all that he escaped."

The mutterings of Dinah were still audible overhead, and she was seen the next minute, descending the primitive stairs.

The little party smiled, and the captain turned toward her.

"Well, Dinah, you didn't find much damage done in your room, did you?"

"Humph! 'cause de warmint didn't hab time. I only wish I had a chance to wrung his neck."

"No doubt you would have done it, but I think we all have cause for grat.i.tude that things turned out as well as they did."

"I guess you didn't notice dat big hole dey come nigh burning frough de roof, did you?"

"Oh, yes; I saw it; it would have been much worse but for you; I hope the fire didn't injure your shoe."

She turned her foot and looked at the broad sole of the heavy shoe, as though the thought had not occurred to her before.

"It am scorchified a little," she said.

"Never mind," remarked Ballyhoo gravely; "I'll give out a contract for a new pair for you, when we get into Kansas, and send a couple of the boys back with them, if they don't prove too big a load."

"I consider such remarks as onnecessary and slightsome," replied Dinah, with a scornful toss of her head; "I wore number 'lebens, which am just a lady's size; I reckons you can't do much better dan dat."

"If my feet keep on growing for a few years, I may get there in time, but you shall have the shoes, Dinah, if the right size can be bought in any of the big establishments."

"T'ank you," replied the African, who thought it best not to repel the offer of her friend; "dese am gettin' wored consid'ble, and by de time you got back, I'll need anoder pair."

The evening was advancing. In answer to Ballyhoo's inquiries, Captain Shirril looked at his watch, and said that it was nearly eleven o'clock.

"I must be off," remarked the tall ranchman, rising to his feet; "we make an early start, and I don't know how the boys have made out with the cattle; they may need my help."

"I may as well go with you," said Avon, looking inquiringly at his uncle; "for there is to be no more work here."

"It will be just as well," replied the captain.

The youth took his saddle and accoutrements from the corner, where they had been lying, and stepping outside, adjusted them upon Thunderbolt, who whinnied with pleasure at the promise of carrying his loved owner on his back indefinitely. The two had become attached by their companionship on the hunt and ranch, and the delight of the youth on recovering his mustang was beyond expression.

While he was busy at this brief task, the members of the little family kept their feet, discussing matters in which each was interested.

"Well, I'm ready, Ballyhoo," called Avon, in his cheery voice, stepping quickly through the open door.

He placed one arm around the neck of his aunt and kissed her affectionately, shook hands with Dinah, adding as he crossed palms with his uncle:

"I expect to see you again, soon. Keep up a good heart, auntie, while we are gone, which I don't think will be for long. Good-by, all!"

He put his foot in the stirrup, swung himself into the saddle, at the same moment that his companion did the same, and the couple headed their animals to the northward.

Captain Shirril and the women remained in the door, looking forth in the darkness, and listening until the sounds of the hoofs died out in the distance. Then the Texan led the way inside, adjusting the bar in place so that no one could enter without permission.

The extra horse which Avon had ridden to the cabin was turned loose in the bush, to be recovered and used by the captain when he wished to ride to the camp. Ballyhoo had removed the saddle and bridle, which lay in the corner where Avon's had awaited him.

The Texan stood a minute, looking around the room, as if trying to recall any forgotten duty, but thought of none.

"It is later than I suspected," said he, addressing his wife and consulting his watch again; "and we may as well retire."

He lighted a common tallow candle, and with that in his hand, led the way up the ladder, followed by the others. Fifteen minutes later, everyone was sleeping as soundly as though the evening had not been disturbed by any unusual incident.

CHAPTER XXIV.

A STRANGE DELAY.

Meanwhile Avon Burnet and Gleeson continued riding northward at an easy gallop, their eyes and ears on the alert for sounds of their friends or enemies.

"Do you remember this spot?" asked the elder, drawing his mustang down to a walk, after going some distance.

The youth looked keenly round in the gloom, but saw only the level plain, similar to that over which they had ridden since leaving the cabin. A dark object on the ground caused him to force his pony toward it.

"That must be one of our cattle," he said inquiringly.

"It's what is left of him; that's the steer that the Comanche brought down when he took a shot at you."