Dick had just reached the "wallow" referred to by

Joe Blunt, and had reined up his steed to observe it

leisurely, when a faint hissing sound reached his ear.

Looking quickly back, he observed his two companions

crouching on the necks of their horses, and slowly descending

into a hollow of the prairie in front of them,

as if they wished to bring the rising ground between

them and some object in advance. Dick instantly followed

their example, and was soon at their heels.

"Ye needn't look at the waller," whispered Joe, "for