"I don't want to get anywhere near Devil's Hole in the darkness, an' I want that place quite some miles away when I camp.
I seen a herd stride that quicksand on a run once, an' they wasn't enough of them left to make a good stew.
"If my judgment ain't wrong, an' we can keep them steppin' pretty lively in the mornin', we'll get to Devil's Hole just about noon tomorrow.

Then we can ease them through, an' the rest ain't worth talkin' about." "Devil's Hole is the only trail ?" inquired Sanderson.
Carter nodded.

The others confirmed the nod.

But Carter's desire for an early start the next morning was denied.

Bud and Sogun were on guard duty on the morning shift, with the other men at breakfast, when a dozen horsemen appeared from the morning haze westward and headed directly for the camp fire.
"Visitors," announced Soapy, who was first to see the riders.
The Double A men got to their feet to receive the strangers.