A silence fell upon the little company, and even Sadie's bright face reflected the harshness of Nature.

The escort had closed in, and marched beside them, their boots scrunching among the loose black rubble.

Colonel Cochrane and Belmont were still riding together in the van.
"Do you know, Belmont," said the Colonel, in a low voice, "you may think me a fool, but I don't like this one little bit." Belmont gave a short gruff laugh.
"It seemed all right in the saloon of the _Korosko_, but now that we are here we _do_ seem rather up in the air," said he.

"Still, you know, a party comes here every week, and nothing has ever gone wrong." "I don't mind taking my chances when I am on the war-path," the Colonel answered.

"That's all straightforward and in the way of business.
But when you have women with you, and a helpless crowd like this, it becomes really dreadful.