The distance intervening was too great for either man to distinguish exactly what these might be, yet as they plunged onward their keen eyes searched the valley vigilantly through the cold clear air.
"Some of your long-horns, Hughes ?" asked the Sergeant finally, pointing as he turned and glanced back.

"Quite a bunch of cattle, it looks to me." "Them thar ain't cows," returned the other positively.

"Tha 're too closely bunched up.

I reckon it 'll be Black Kettle's pony herd." "Then his village will lie in beyond the big bend there," and Hamlin rose in his stirrups, shading his eyes.

"The herders have n't driven them far since the storm broke.