At another signal from the figure Bud was dragged a little way up the
hillside, and his wrists were securely tied, his arms embracing a tree.
While this was being done Stella, too frightened to make an outcry, was
led away, and, looking over his shoulder, Bud saw her mount Magpie and
ride away surrounded by four men, led by the man with the silver face,
who bestrode a splendid black charger.
Bud was left alone to survive, if he could, the perils of frost and
hungry wolves.
CHAPTER XI.
LOST IN THE WILDERNESS.
Stella could not keep her eyes from the silver mask of the man who rode
by her side. She was wondering continually at the mystery of him.
For an hour or more they rode up one valley, then across a hill or
stretch of prairie, and through valleys again, the black mountains
coming nearer all the time, until at last they entered a forest of
pines, which they traversed until night began to fall.
At a gesture from "Silver Face," as Stella had named the man who rode by
her side, the party came to a halt.
Stella now saw that it was the intention to camp, for, while some of the
men cared for the horses, others cut down several small pine trees and
built a shelter of pine boughs, into which she was ushered, and before
which a blazing fire had been lighted.
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