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Klamat threw up his hand. The men had ap peared on the bench below. We had evidently gained on them considerably, for here we had ten minutes rest before they broke over the mountain bench beneath. This was encouraging. No doubt a saddle had slipped off back over a mule s rump in some steep place they had just mounted, and thus caused the delay, for they had neglected to sinch their saddles in their great haste.
They dismounted now, and settled their saddles. We tightened our saddles also. This was the sum mit, and now came the demand for skill.
When the officer threw his leg over the macheers of his saddle below, Klamat set forward. His skill was as wonderful as his endurance. Being now on the summit, he could travel without halting to breathe ; this, of course would be required if he hoped to keep ahead. And even then, where would it all end? It is most likely no one had thought of that. For my part, I kept watching the sun and wishing for night.
This is an instinctive desire of all things rational or irrational, I think, that are compelled to fly
"0 that night or Blucher would come."
It was hardly possible to keep ahead of our pursuers all day, well mounted as they were, and one of our party on foot, yet that seemed to be the only hope. There yet was an alternative, if the worst came to the worst. We could ambush a
