“Listen, Al!”
The two did so for a few seconds, and then Alden said in an undertone:
“I didn’t hear anything more; did you?”
“Yas.”
“What did it sound like?”
“A hoss’s hoofs; wait a minute.”
Jethro dropped on his knees and pressed an ear to the ground. He had done the same thing in different circumstances, and knew what help it was to the hearing.
The next instant he sprang up.
“De Injins am coming! I hear dar hosses!”
Alden imitated the action of his companion and then quickly rose.
“It is a single horse, and he is coming this way on a run; I don’t think the Indians are near or we should hear more hoofs; I wish Shagbark would show up.”
But the guide did not appear for some minutes. Still standing the two noted the sounds made by the hoofs of a pony traveling at the highest speed. The sounds rapidly grew more distinct, and the two were quickly able to locate the horseman. It was toward the point whence came the rifle reports, and the fugitive must have had something to do with them.
