"Yes, smashed up too. Ye never saw sech a sight. Arfter thet ye can calkerlate I keep clear o' all other stampedes," concluded the old hunter.
Talking over one thing and another the party moved along until about one o'clock, when a halt was made for dinner.
Allen found that Noel was suffering but little but his arm was well bandaged. Slavin, however, was pale.
"You need a rest, Slavin," he said, kindly.
"I reckon ye air right," was the faint response. "Didn't calkerlate ter git sech an all-gone feelin'."
"We'll rest until the worst of the heat is over; eh, Ike?"
"Jes' as ye say," answered the old hunter.
They found an inviting spot in a small grove of trees close to a spring and a brook, and proceeded to make themselves comfortable. Slavin was glad enough to drop into a light doze.
"He's a changed man, unless I miss my guess," said Allen to Noel.
"I think you are right, Allen. That adventure took him so close to death I fancy it rather awakened his conscience."