But the feeling their proximity gave him was identical to what it would have been had he been this particular hunted man.

He held his breath; he clenched his teeth; he pressed a quieting hand upon his horse.

Suddenly he became aware that these horsemen had halted.

They were whispering.

He could just make out a dark group closely massed.
What had made them halt so suspiciously?
"You're wrong, Bill," said a man, in a low but distinct voice.
"The idee of hearin' a hoss heave.