As a matter of fact Judy was using the stars for her guide, which enabled her to follow the general direction in which she wanted to go.
Another halt was made at midnight. The girls were shivering, and Emma asked if they could not build a fire and warm up.
“No! You’ll git warmed up before you git through with this,” answered Judy. “Might git warm most any time now.”
No halt was made from that time until just at break of day. Then Judy left the party for half an hour to take an observation. She returned briskly and announced that they could make a small fire and have coffee, but she built the fire herself, being careful not to make enough smoke to attract attention.
“Folks, we aire within a mile of the Red Gulch, and I reckon you better keep your eyes open from now on. I’ll ride on ahead, so watch me. Pap Bindloss, you watch the sides and the trail behind. Nobody do any loud talkin’,” advised Judy, after they had warmed their hands by the little cook-fire, and drunk their hot coffee. All mounted and rode away much refreshed, and with a gentle glow now suffusing their bodies.
The Overlanders now observed that Judy had unlimbered her rifle, so they did the same, carrying their weapons resting across their saddles, gun butts to the right. Judy wound in and out among the rocks and trees, sometimes being out of sight for a moment or two, then coming into view again, until finally she held up her hand and sat listening. The others halted near where her pony stood nibbling at the green leaves within its reach.
“You all stay right heah. I’m going on to scout ’round a little. Pap, you stay with the girls.” Judy tossed her bridle-rein to him and slid from her saddle, taking her rifle with her. She was out of sight in a few moments, and the Overland Riders sat in uneasy silence straining their ears for warning sounds.
When Judy returned her face wore a perplexed expression.
“Folks, they ain’t there.”
“Aren’t where?” asked Miss Briggs.