Schmidt was as tired as his horse, or even more so, and by this time he was swaying in his saddle and half asleep, as a trained horseman often does.

Fred leaned forward and very quietly cut the saddle girth almost through.

He knew that the slightest strain would finish the work.

Schmidt was utterly unconscious of what was going on.

Fred could tell, from the man's breathing, just what his condition was.