It was decided to put tents and equipment in condition before starting out, and this took nearly half of the forenoon, so the start was not made until after luncheon.
Not a human being had been seen all that morning, nothing of a disturbing nature had occurred except the dust cloud that Sam had discovered. A few hours after they set out, however, a horseman was discovered in the far distance, sitting motionless in his saddle. He did not move until the Overland party had proceeded some two miles, whereupon he started along on a parallel course.
“It is our mysterious horseman, I am positive,” announced Grace, after a long look through her binoculars.
At Hippy’s suggestion the party changed their course and headed directly for the course that the stranger was following. Shortly after that he too changed his course. Several similar experiments were made by the Overlanders, and always with the same result. It became plain to them that the mysterious horseman was keeping them under observation, but for what reason not even Jim-Sam seemed to be able to guess.
These deviations had carried the Overlanders some distance out of their way, and to reach their proposed camping place for that night would necessitate traveling after dark, so the guides decided to camp at the nearest water hole, which proved to be located in the foothills. There the foliage was greener and fresher, and bunches of grass made fine grazing for the ponies.
Supper was an enjoyable affair that evening, especially so because Jim and Sam enlivened the occasion by wrangling over the way that Jim had cooked the beans for their mess. Jim, finally becoming too enraged to eat, got up and stalked away, whereupon Sam gravely ate his own portion, and then finished all that Jim had left.
The party had barely finished supper when the familiar hoof-beats of a rapidly riding party of horsemen were heard. The Overlanders were on their feet in an instant, each member of the party hurriedly throwing on his holster, then looking to Jim-Sam for orders.
“I reckon nobody ain’t goin’ to do no shootin’ till I’ve had a first crack at the cayuses,” ordered Sam.
The Overland Riders tensed their muscles and their nerves for what they believed was to be a battle in earnest.