It was a great advantage to me, as otherwise there was no conveyance, nor had I a horse or any means of getting to the ranch, about eighty miles.

Judging from the colonel's armed guard and the fact of travelling at night, it occurred to me that something was wrong, and on questioning him he told me that he would not take any "chances," that the Apaches were "out" on the war-path, but that they never attacked in the dark.

This lent more interest to the trip, though it was interesting enough to me simply to see the nature of the country where we had decided to make our home.

We got through all right.

Next morning I hired a horse and reached the ranch the same day.
As this was to be our country for many years to come, it will be well to describe its physical features, etc.