It flattered his pride and he strove to justify it.
Their pace became slower and slower, and presently the early twilight of winter was coming.

A cold wind moaned, but the desolate plain was broken here and there by clumps of trees.

At the suggestion of the Panther they rode to one of these and halted under cover of the timber.
"The river can't be much more than a mile ahead," said the Panther, "an' we might run into the Mexicans any minute.

We're sheltered here, an' we'd better wait a while.

Then I think we can do more stalkin'." Obed and Ned were not at all averse, and dismounting they stretched themselves, easing their muscles.