Both the Panther and Obed were awake and sitting up.  They looked curiously at Ned, who still carried the flaming brand in his hand.

“A noise like the sound of thunder away off wakened me up,” said the Panther.  “Now, what have you been up to, young ’un?”

“Me?” said Ned lightly.  “Oh, nothing important.  I wanted to make some investigations in natural history out there in the bushes, and as I needed a light for the purpose I took it.”

“An’ if I’m not pressin’ too much,” said the Panther, in mock humility, “may I make so bold as to ask our young Solomon what is natural history?”

“Natural history is the study of animals.  I saw a panther in the bushes and I went out there to examine him.  I saw that he was a big fellow, but he ran away so fast I could tell no more about him.”

“You scared him away with the torch instead of shooting,” said Obed.  “It was well done, but it took a stout heart.  If he comes again tell him I won’t wake up until it’s time for my watch.”

He was asleep again inside of a minute, and the Panther followed him quickly.  Both men trusted Ned fully, treating him now as an experienced and skilled frontiersman.  He knew it, and he felt proud and encouraged.

The panther did not come back, but the wolves did, although Ned now paid no attention to them.  He was growing used to their company and the uncanny feeling departed.  He merely replenished the fires and sat patiently until it was time for Obed to succeed him.  Then he, too, wrapped himself in his blankets and slept a dreamless sleep until day.

The remainder of the buffalo meat was taken away the next day, but anticipating a long stay at the cabin they continued to hunt, both on horseback and on foot.  Two more buffalo cows fell to their rifles.  They also secured a deer, three antelope and a dozen wild turkeys.

Their hunting spread over two days, but when they were all assembled on the third night at the cabin general satisfaction prevailed.  They had ranged over considerable country, and as game was plentiful and not afraid the Panther drew the logical conclusion that man had been scarce in that region.

“I take it,” he said, “that the Mexicans are a good distance east, and that the Lipans and Comanches are another good distance west.  Just the same, boys, we’ve got to keep a close watch, an’ I think we’ve got more to fear from raidin’ parties of the Indians than from the Mexicans.  All the Mexicans are likely to be ridin’ to some point on the Rio Grande to meet the forces of Santa Anna.”

“I wish we had more horses,” said Obed.  “We’d go that way ourselves and see what’s up.”

“Well, maybe we’ll get ’em,” said the Panther.  “Thar’s a lot of horses on these plains, some of which ought to belong to us an’ we may find a way of claimin’ our rights.”

They passed a number of pleasant days at the cabin and in hunting and foraging in the vicinity.  They killed more big game and the dressed skins of buffalo, bear and deer were spread on the floor or were hung on the walls.  Wild turkeys were numerous, and they had them for food every day.  But they discovered no signs of man, white or red, and they would have been content to wait there had they not been so anxious to investigate the reported advance of Santa Anna on the Rio Grande.