CHAPTER VII.
A VOICE FROM THE SHADOWS The Overlanders came trotting into the clearing, Grace bringing up the rear of the line just ahead of Washington and his mules, who still were some little distance behind.
"What is it ?" called Grace as she burst into the clearing.
Miss Briggs pointed to Hippy's empty saddle, and it was not until then that Nora Wingate fully realized the meaning of the scene.
"Hippy, my darlin', where are you ?" she cried excitedly.
"Steady now," cautioned Grace.

"It will profit us not at all to lose our heads.

Spread out and search the clearing.

First, tie your ponies so they don't disappear and leave us in the lurch." The girls quickly slipped from their saddles and began searching, Grace first having examined the saddle of Hippy's pony.

She found his rifle in the saddle-boot and his revolver in the holster suspended from the pommel.