And so it was done. In an hour the moon was fairly up, and, choosing a rise whence a clear view could be obtained, the horses were allowed to feed, and Mr. Hardy and Hubert lay down to sleep, Charley taking the post of sentry, with orders to wake the others at daybreak.
The day was just dawning when he aroused them. ‘Wake up, papa. There are some figures coming over the plain.’
Mr. Hardy and Hubert were on their feet in an instant. ‘Where, Charley?’
‘From the north, papa. They must have passed us in their pursuit of the cattle, and are now returning,—empty-handed, anyhow; for there are only seven or eight of them, and they are driving nothing before them.’
By this time all three were in the saddle again.
‘Shall we attack them, papa?’
‘No, boys; we have given them quite a severe lesson enough. At the same time, we will move a little across, so that we can get a good sight of them as they pass, and make sure that they have got nothing with them.’
‘They are coming exactly this way, papa.’
‘Yes, I see, Hubert; they are no doubt riding back upon their trail. They will turn off quickly enough when they see us.’
But the new-comers did not do so, continuing straight forward.