It was nearly sunset; and the rays of light were cast far down the valley, and the eyes of the scout fell upon moving objects there.
At once he turned his glass upon them.
“They are horsemen!” he cried, “and they are coming this way.”
A moment after he continued:
“There are two of them, but they are leading five horses. By Jove! I believe they are the pards of these two murderers, just returning. How lucky I did not return to my camp!
“Yes, they must be their two comrades; and, if these men are murderers, they can be no better that are coming.
“They are all of half a dozen miles away, and it will be an hour and a half before they can reach the cabin, and darkness will be in soon. I’ll go and prepare for them.”
The scout took another long look at the far-distant horsemen, then descended from the cliff, walked rapidly back through the gold cañon, and reached the cabin just as dusk fell.
“Men, I am sorry to have to gag you and make you more secure, but I am determined to be upon the safe side. Are you well enough, Bill, to help me?”
“Oh, yes, sah.”