noon before
The party passed through a wild country , though for a time the road was reasonably good . It degenerated presently into a cart-track , however , and finally became a mere trail through the wilderness . As night fell , the tent was put up by the side of a brawling stream , through which they had forded . Next morning the procession started early , but it was noon before it came to the clearing which Stranleigh rightly surmised was the outskirts of the ranch . The guide , who had been riding in front , reined in , and allowed Stranleigh to come alongside . `` That , '' he said , pointing down the valley , `` is Armstrong 's ranch . '' Before Stranleigh could reply , if he had intended doing so , a shot rang out from the forest , and he felt the sharp sting of a bullet in his left shoulder .