In no way can the success of Eph be explained other than on the ground that it was one of those pieces of extremely good fortune which sometimes attend rash enterprises on the part of a cool-headed man. He heard the sound of galloping horses, and twice caught their shadowy outlines, but he was on the alert, and, dropping to the earth, waited until the peril passed. In both cases the red men came no nearer, and he was soon advanced so far that he believed the worst was over. He straightened up once more, and, as I have shown, strode directly forward to the elevation, where all three of his friends were awaiting his coming with an anxiety that cannot be understood by one not similarly situated.
The little party listened to his story with breathless interest, Herbert being the first to speak at its conclusion.
“That’s just like Nick,” he said; “he has been waiting his chance all these days and nights, and when those men had no suspicion of what he intended, he has given them the slip.”
“I don’t have much opinion of that younker,” said the old trapper curtly.
“Why not?”
“The most foolishest thing he could do was to ride out of that building just as it ‘pears he has done. If he had stayed thar the whole thing war fixed, but now whar ar you?”
“If he has fallen into the power of Kimmaho or any of his party,” said Strubell, “it will take more than a thousand dollars to get him back.”
“What do you suppose they will demand?” inquired Herbert, his fears aroused again.
“They won’t ask anything,” said Lattin; “the Apaches don’t deal in the ransom bus’ness as much as some other folks.”
“But you talk as though he is a prisoner of theirs.”