Beyond the little grove they saw the plain rolling away on every side bare to the horizon, except in the south, where the red glow always threatened.

Ned rode to the western edge of the grove in order to get a better view.

He searched the plain carefully with his keen vision, but he could find no sign of life there in the west.
He turned Old Jack in order to rejoin his comrades, when he suddenly heard a low sound from the east.

He listened a moment, and then, hearing it distinctly, he knew it.

It was the thud of hoofs, and the horsemen were coming straight toward the grove, which was two or three hundred yards in width.
Owing to the darkness and the foliage Ned could not see his comrades, but he started toward them at once.