And Slone advanced boldly. He did not have to make
up his mind what to do.
But he was amazed to see several dark forms moving to and fro before the
bright camp-fire, and he checked himself abruptly. Considering a moment, Slone
thought he had better have a look at these fellows. So he tied Wildfire and,
taking to the darker side of the canyon, he stole cautiously forward.
The distance was considerable, as he had calculated. Soon, however, he made
out the shadowy outlines of horses feeding in the open. He hugged the canyon
wall for fear they might see him. As luck would have it the night breeze was
in his favor. Stealthily he stole on, in the deep shadow of the wall, and
under the cedars, until he came to a point opposite the camp-fire, and then he
turned toward it. He went slowly, carefully, noiselessly, and at last he
crawled through the narrow aisles between thick sage-brush. Another clump of
cedars loomed up, and he saw the flickering of firelight upon the pale-green
foliage.
He heard gruff voices before he raised himself to look, and by this he gauged
his distance.
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