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silent. He could only keep on toward where he heard the sound last, and to his amazement he discovered the herd just ahead of him rounded up in a close bunch standing quite still in the darkness. He passed around them thus to turn them back toward camp in case they should be frightened. He came within a few feet of the bunch, and approaching more closely was about to place his hand on the face of the old bald-faced bell-horse when the horse shook his head and there was no bell, and it suddenly dawned upon Tom that these strange movements of the animals were not made of their own will but under the guidance of the band of Indian desperadoes. The explanation came very suddenly. A flash of lightning revealed the crouching forms of two savages, almost within the reach of his foot, engaged in cutting the hobbles from the two hobbled mules. They caught sight of him at the same moment and were so struck with amazement that they thought only of flight. With a bound they sprang upon their ponies and were off like a shot. Tom, doubtless somewhat stunned, did not take to flight but jumping on the nearest mule started the herd toward camp uttering the  most fearful yells at every jump. The red-skins, as they flew up the valley and over the rolling hills must have felt their blood freeze at the very sound. Certainly they did not stop until a long distance intervened between them and the scene of their fright. In half an hour our animals were all safe in camp. We thanked Tom for having saved us from a great disaster - that of being set afoot in a practical desert 200 miles from the nearest habitation.