A couple of hours' gallop brought them to the edge of

one of those open plains which sometimes break up the

woodland near the verge of the great prairies. It

stretched out like a green lake towards the horizon, on

which, just as the band of horsemen reached it, the sun

was descending in a blaze of glory.

With a shout of enthusiasm, several of the younger

members of the party sprang forward into the plain

at a gallop; but the shout was mingled with one of a

different tone from the older men.