It therefore came about that the line was not where he had last seen it, and he went down headlong, while the rifle rolled away from him.

Just there, there was a rush and a drumming of hoofs, and before Alton could pick himself up the horses were sweeping in a panic through the shadowy bush.
"Anything the worse, Harry ?" said Seaforth.

"We had better get off at once while there's the sound to guide us." Alton laughed softly, as he did now and then when he might have been disconcerted.

"I can't beat a Cayuse, Charley, and I don't think you'll hear them very long," he said.
Tom of Okanagan grunted approval, and the three stood still, until the drumming of hoofs was lost in the silence of the bush.
"They're gone," said Seaforth.

"Do you mean to do nothing ?" "Yes," said Alton.