The air was clear, sharp, and bracing, with the sun shining from an unclouded sky. It was a time to stir the blood, and had not the young ranchers been oppressed by anxiety for their friends, they would have bounded across the plain in the highest possible spirits. The ponies, having no such fear, struck into a swinging gallop of their own accord, which continued without interruption until more than half the intervening distance was passed. All this time the youths were carefully scanning the wooded ridge, as it rose more distinctly to view; for they could not forget that they were more likely to meet hostiles than friends in that section, and approaching it across an open plain, must continue conspicuous objects to whatever Sioux were there.
"Tim," said Warren, as they rode easily beside each other, "unless I am much mistaken, a fire is burning on the ridge."
"Where?"
"Almost directly ahead, but a little to the left; tell me whether you can make it out."
The Irishman shaded his eyes with one hand, for the glare of the sun on the snow was almost blinding, and after a moment's scrutiny, said:
"Ye are right; there is a fire up there; not much smoke does the same give out, but it is climbing up the clear sky as straight as a mon's finger."
"I take it that it means Indians; it seems to me they are all around us."
"I agraas wid ye, but s'pose it is a fire that yer fayther has started himsilf."
Warren shook his head.
"He would not do so imprudent a thing as that."