With the quick decision of one long accustomed to meet emergencies, Hampton unbuckled the lariat from one of the led animals, and bound Murphy's hands and limbs securely.
As he worked he thought rapidly.

He comprehended the extreme desperation of their present situation.

While the revolver blow might possibly restore Murphy to a degree of sanity, it was far more probable that he would awaken violent.

Yet he could not deliberately leave this man to meet a fate of horror in the wilderness.

Which way should they turn?
Enough food, if used sparingly, might remain to permit of a hasty retreat to Cheyenne, and there would be comparatively little danger in that direction.