“We ought to be pretty close to the place we left our horses,” said Chester.

“I was just thinking that, myself,” agreed Colonel Anderson.  “Must be around here some place.”

“We shall be there within the hour,” said Nikol, to whom the situation had been explained.  He had declared he could lead them straight to the place they had left the animals.

“So you see, Mr. Stubbs, we are not coming back in such a hurry after all,” said Hal.

“We’re not there yet,” mumbled Stubbs.  “An hour is an hour.  We’ve been altogether too lucky, if you ask me.  It’s about time something happened.”

“Croaking again, eh?” said Chester.  “I never saw a fellow like you before.  You see trouble in everything.”

“So I do—­when I’m with you,” declared Stubbs.  “It’s been my experience that wherever you and Hal happen to be, there also is trouble.  I’m a peaceable man, I am.  I believe in taking all precautions.  But here we go, walking along as though we were on your uncle’s farm.  No thought of danger among any of you.  But I’ve got a hunch—­”

“You’ve always got a hunch,” Hal interrupted.

“Well, all right,” said Stubbs.  “Just remember I’ve warned you.”

They continued on their way in silence.

“To tell the truth, we have been remarkably fortunate,” declared Colonel Edwards.  “I had expected to bump into some of Nicolas’ friends before this.  It’s funny.”

“It’s not too late yet,” said Stubbs.

“Mr. Stubbs,” said Chester, with some exasperation, “if you—­”

“Hold on,” said Stubbs.  He pointed ahead and slightly to the left.  “Here comes a gang after us now.”

The others glanced in the direction indicated.  A body of men afoot, perhaps a dozen all told, were approaching.

“Yes,” said Chester, “here comes a gang, but that’s no sign they are enemies.”

“Everybody is an enemy in these parts,” said Stubbs sententiously.

“By George, you are the limit, Stubbs!” declared Chester.  “Now, I’ll tell you what I’ll do.  I’ll just bet you something pretty you’re wrong in this case.”

“Well, I ain’t wrong,” returned Stubbs, forgetting his grammar.  “I’ll take that bet.  But in the meantime you fellows have a look at your guns.  I may need protection.”

This was good advice and the others realized it.  They acted on it and the chamber of Colonel Anderson’s revolver snapped with a click that emphasized his next remark: 

“Can’t trust them,” he said.

The men were close now, and they appeared to be friendly enough.  At sight of the prisoner in the center, one of them cried: 

“Ho, Nicolas! where are you going?”

Quickly Hal stepped behind the prisoner and out of sight of the strangers, his revolver was pressed into Nicolas’ back.

“No foolishness,” he said in a low voice.

“Rather risky for you in these parts, isn’t it, Nicolas?” said another of the strangers.