If we only keep out o' badger holes we may laugh at the red varmints." Joe's opinion of Indian horses was correct.

In a very few minutes the sound of hoofs died away; but the fugitives did not draw bridle during the remainder of that night, for they knew not how long the pursuit might be continued.

By pond, and brook, and bluff they passed, down in the grassy bottoms and over the prairie waves--nor checked their headlong course till the sun blazed over the level sweep of the eastern plain as if it arose out of the mighty ocean.
Then they sprang from the saddle, and hastily set about the preparation of their morning meal..