Jerry, Ned, and myself at once went to the spot, and saw what I immediately admitted to be the clear, well-defined track of a grizzly in the sand.

" "I wish I knew something about trailing," remarked Ned.

" "How do you know that?" inquired Ned." "How do you know you're settin' on that horse?" asked Jerry.

I only hope that the narrative may prove as interesting to my young readers, as it did to Hal and Ned, who heard the story with roars of laughter at my blunders.

" "Yes; or better still, float the things over in one of the wagon-bodies," suggested Ned.

I ventured to remind Jerry of his favorite saying regarding boys, but the old man had no reply to make, save that "Ned was a most 'stonishin' boy.

"Tell us please, how he stole your horse, will you?" inquired Ned.

and I'd like to take Ned and a couple of the Mexicans, and go out and see if we can't find him.

" [Illustration: Antelope, Patsey and Ned.]

I could fully understand Ned's feeling of pride, as the men, one after another, examined the game, and complimented him on his success; for Ned was a great favorite in the camp; but, when old Jerry graciously told him that he was more'n twice as old afore he killed an antelope, the boy's eyes fairly danced with joy.

As Ned appeared to be the coolest person in sight, I asked him the cause of the commotion, and learned that the Indians had attacked Don Ramon's camp, and carried off his daughter and her maid, prisoners.

" "Suppose we try smoking him out," said Ned.

When this determination was announced I hastened back to camp to consult old Jerry, and found all assembled around Ned, who was repeating over and over again, the story told by Tom.

It was understood, that Jerry and myself were to accompany Tom on the expedition, and finally I obtained permission to take Ned along.

I invited Tom to remain and take supper with us, and afterwards, while Jerry was making his preparations for the morrow's expedition, Ned and Patsey asked Tom for a story; but Tom said "he warn't no account at story tellin' and would let that job out to somebody else.

Ned insisted that he recognized Hal's footprints, while Jerry identified the peculiar shape of one of the mule's tracks, by means of a shoe he himself fitted to the animal.

Tom Pope asserted the boy was a "born Injin hunter," and old Jerry declared that he was "willing to make a 'ception, so fur as Ned was concarned, though he'd be darned if he'd do it for t'other one; for boys like him hadn't no bizness on the plains, no how.

That youngster there," pointing to Ned, "is real grit.

Loud cries of pain at once arose, but his little brother took him by the arm and pushed him with all his might towards his mother, saying in the most reassuring tone imaginable, 'Run to mama, Ned, run to mama, she'll kiss it and make it well.

Henry or Ned would probably have fallen madly in love with her on the spot.

On the other side of the room Ned Hazell lay sleeping the deep sleep of the unpunctual clerk; and Henry, when he had for a moment or two dwelt upon his own happiness, took a malicious joy in arousing him.

"Ned," he shouted, "get up!

" Ned gave out a deep sound, something between a snore, a moan, and an imprecation.

Ned presently began rubbing his head vigorously, which was one of his preliminaries of awakening, and then mournfully raised himself in bed, a pillar of somnolence.

So he indulged his imagination, while Ned dressed in haste, with the fear of the tyrant evident upon him.