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diff --git a/old/35649.txt b/old/35649.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 8e839dd..0000000 --- a/old/35649.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5847 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lost Mountain, by Mayne Reid - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Lost Mountain - A Tale of Sonora - -Author: Mayne Reid - -Illustrator: Édouard Riou - -Release Date: March 21, 2011 [EBook #35649] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LOST MOUNTAIN *** - - - - -Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England - - - - -The Lost Mountain -A Tale of Sonora -By Captain Mayne Reid -Published by George Routledge and Sons, London. -This edition dated 1885. - -The Lost Mountain, by Captain Mayne Reid. - -________________________________________________________________________ - -________________________________________________________________________ -THE LOST MOUNTAIN, BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. - - - -CHAPTER ONE. - -IN WANT OF WATER. - -"_Mira! El Cerro Perdido_!" (See! The Lost Mountain!) - -The man who thus exclaims is seated in a high-peak saddle, on the back -of a small sinewy horse. Not alone, as may be deduced from his words; -instead, in company with other men on horseback, quite a score of them. -There are several wagons, too; large cumbrous vehicles, each with a team -of eight mules attached. Other mules, pack animals, form an _atajo_ or -train, which extends in a long line rearward, and back beyond this a -drove of cattle in charge of two or three drovers--these mounted, as a -matter of course. - -The place is in the middle of a vast plain, one of the _llanos_ of -Sonora, near the northern frontier of this sparsely inhabited state. -And the men themselves, or most of them, are miners, as might be told by -certain peculiarities of costume, further evinced by a paraphernalia of -mining tools and machinery seen under the canvas tilts of the wagons. -There are women seen there too, with children of both sexes and every -age; for it is a complete mining establishment on the move from a -_veta_, worn out and abandoned, to one late discovered and still -unworked. - -Save two of the party all are Mexicans though not of like race. Among -them may be noted every shade of complexion, from the ruddy white of the -Biscayan Spaniard to the copper-brown of the aboriginal, many being -pure-blooded Opata Indians, one of the tribes called _mansos_ (tamed). -Distinctive points of dress also, both as to quality and cut, denote -difference in rank and calling. There are miners _pur sang_--these in -the majority; teamsters who drive the wagons; _arrieros_ and _mozos_ of -the mule train; _vaqueros_ with the cattle; and several others, male and -female, whose garb and manner proclaim them household servants. - -The man who has called out differs from all the rest in costume as in -calling, for he is a _gambusino_, or professional gold-seeker. A -successful one, too; since he it is who discovered the _veta_ above -spoken of, in the Great Sonora Desert, near the border-line of Arizona. -"Denounced" it as well--that is, made declaration and registration of -the discovery, which, by Mexican law, makes the mine his own, with -exclusive right of working it. But he is not its owner now. Without -sufficient means to undertake the _exploitation_, he has transferred his -interest to those who can--Villanueva and Tresillian, a wealthy mining -firm, long established near the town of Arispe, with all their -_employes_ and a complete apparatus for excavating, crushing, and -amalgamating--furniture and household gods added--are _en route_ for the -new-found lode, with high hopes it may prove a "bonanza." It is their -caravan that is halted on the plain, for to halt it has come at a hail -from the _gambusino_ himself, acting as its guide. - -He is some distance in advance of the wagons with two other horsemen, to -whom his speech is particularly addressed. For they are the chiefs of -the caravan--the masters and partners of the mining company composing -it. One of them, somewhat over middle age, is Don Estevan Villanueva, a -born Mexican, but with features of pure Spanish type, from his -Andalusian ancestry. He is somewhat the senior of the two, and senior -partner of the firm, the junior being Robert Tresillian, an Englishman, -and native of Cornwall. - -Up to that moment there had been anxiety on the countenances of both, as -on those of their followers, indeed more, a look of gravest -apprehension. Its cause is apparent; a glance along the line of -animals--ridden horses as well as draught and pack-mules--clearly -proclaiming it. All show signs of distress, by sides hollowed in, necks -outstretched and drooping, eyes deep down in their sockets, and tongues -protruding from lips that look hot and dry. No wonder! For three days -they have not tasted water; and the scant herbage of the plains, on -which they have been depasturing, is without a particle of moisture. It -has been a season of drought all over Sonora, not a drop of rain having -fallen for months, and every stream, spring, and pool along their route -dried up. Little strange, then, the animals looking distressed, and no -more that the minds of the men are filled with gloomy fears as to what -might be before them. Another three days, and it may be death to most, -if not all. - -Just in like proportion are their spirits uplifted on hearing the -exclamation of the _gambusino_. Well know they what it means--good -grass and abundance of water. All along has he been telling them of -this, picturing the "Lost Mountain," or, rather, a spot by its base, as -a very Paradise of a camping-place. No want of water there, he has -said, however dry the season or long-continued the drought; no fear of -animals being famished, since not only is there a spring and running -stream, but a lake, surrounded by a belt of meadow-like land, with grass -thick, succulent, and green as emeralds. - -"You're sure it's the Cerro Perdido?" - -It is Don Estevan who thus doubtingly interrogates, his eyes fixed on a -solitary eminence seen afar over the plain. - -"_Si_, senor," affirms the guide, "sure as that my name's Pedro Vicente. -And I ought to be sure of that, from what my mother told me; the old -lady in her life never getting over her anger at the cost of my -christening. Twenty silver _pesos_, with a pair of church candles--big -ones, and of best wax! All that for only handing down to me my father's -name, he being Pedro, and a poor _gambusino_ as myself! _Carramba_! -The _padres_ are the veriest extortioners--levy black-mail more -rigorously than either footpad or highwayman." - -"_Vaya, hombre_!" rejoins Don Estevan. "Don't be so hard upon the poor -priests. And as for the expense your mother was put to in celebrating -your baptismal rites, that's all past and gone. If you were poor once, -you're now rich enough to care nothing for such a trifle as twenty -dollars and a couple of wax candles." - -The senior partner speaks truth, as any one who had seen Pedro Vicente -three months before, seeing him now, would say. Then was he sparely -clad, in garments of faded hue, tattered and dust-stained; his mount the -scraggiest of mustangs--a very Rosinante. Now bestrides he a horse of -best blood and shapely proportions, in a deep tree-saddle of stamped -leather, with ornamental housings; his own body bedight with all the -glittering adornments peculiar to that special Mexican dress known as -"_ranchero_," picturesque as any in the world. His lucky find of gold, -still in its matrix of quartz--_madre de oro_, as the Mexican miners -call it--with its transference to Villanueva y Tresillian, has given him -sufficient of this same metal with the mint stamp on it for all matters -of comfort, costume, and equipment. - -"Oh! bother your christening and candles," puts in the Englishman, with -a show of impatience; "we've something more serious to think about. -You're quite sure, Senor Vicente, that yonder eminence is the Cerro -Perdido?" - -"I've said," laconically and somewhat gruffly answers the guide, showing -slightly nettled at the doubt cast on his affirmation, and by one he -supposes a stranger to the country and its ways--in short, a "_gringo_." - -"Then," pursues Tresillian, "the sooner we get to it the better. It's -ten miles off, I take it." - -"Twice ten, _caballero_, and a trifle over." - -"What! Twenty miles? I can't believe that." - -"If your worship had been roaming about these _llanos_ as long as I -have, you could and would," rejoins the guide, in quiet confidence. - -"Oh! if you say so, it must be. You seem to know, Senor Vicente; and -should, from all I've heard of your skill as a path-finder. That you're -good at finding gold we have the proofs." - -"_Mil gracias_, Don Roberto," returns the _gambusino_, with a bow, his -_amour propre_ appeased by the complimentary speech; "I've no doubt -about the distance, for I'm not trusting to guesswork. I've been over -this ground before, and remember that big _palmilla_." He points to a -tree at some distance, with stout stem, and a bunch of bayonet-like -leaves on its summit--a species of _yucca_, of which there are several -straggled over the plain, but this one taller than any. Then adds, "If -your worship doubts my word, ride up to it, and you'll see a P and V -carved in the bark, the initials of your humble servant. It was done to -commemorate the occasion of my first setting eyes on the Cerro Perdido." - -"But I don't doubt your word," says Tresillian, smiling at the odd -memento in such an out-of-the-way place; "certainly not." - -"Then, senor, let me assure you that from it to the mountain is all of -twenty miles, and we'll do well if we get there before sun-down." - -"In which case, the sooner we start for it the better." - -"Yes, Pedro," adds Don Estevan, speaking to the gold-seeker in a -friendly, familiar way. "Ride back and give the order for resuming -route. Tell the teamsters and all to do their best." - -"At your worship's command," returns the _gambusino_, with a bow, and -wave of his broad-brimmed hat raised high over his head. - -Then, pricking his horse with a spur having rowels full five inches in -diameter, he canters off towards the caravan. - -Before reaching it he again uncovers, respectfully saluting a group -which has not yet been introduced to the reader, though possibly the -oddest, with the individuals comprising it, the most interesting of all -the travelling party. For two of them are of the fair sex--ladies--one -middle-aged and of matronly aspect, the other a girl late entered upon -her teens. Only their faces and the upper portion of their forms are -visible, for they are inside a sort of palanquin--the _litera_ of -Mexico, used by grand dames on long journeys, and roads over which -carriages cannot be taken. The face of the older lady, with dark -complexion and features of Andalusian type, is still attractive, but -that of the younger one strikingly beautiful; and between the two is a -strong family resemblance, as there should, since they are mother and -child--the Senora Villanueva and her daughter. - -The _litera_ is borne between two mules, attached to shafts fore and -aft, in charge of a strapping fellow in velveteen jacket, and -_calzoneras_, _botas_ of stamped leather, and _sombrero_ of black glaze, -with a band of silver bullion round it. But there is a fourth personage -comprising the group, unlike all the others, and bearing no resemblance -to any of the wayfarers save one--the Englishman. To him the youth--for -young he is--shows the likeness, unmistakable, of son to father; and -such is the relationship between them. - -Henry Tresillian, just turned seventeen, is a handsome fellow, -fair-haired, of bright complexion, and features delicately chiselled, -still aught but effeminate in their expression; instead, of a cast which -proclaims courage and resolution, while a figure tersely knit tells of -strength and activity equal to anything. On horseback, he sits bending -over in his saddle with face to the curtains of the _litera_. There may -be eyes inside admiring him; and the expression of his own tells he -would fain have it so. But all their eyes, late full of gloom, sparkle -delightedly now. The Lost Mountain has been sighted; their fears are -over, and so soon will be their sufferings. - -"_Anda! adalante_!" (advance) shouts Pedro Vicente. - -His words echoed rearward along the line, followed by other cries, with -a creaking of wheels and a cracking of whips, as the wagons once more -got into motion. - - - -CHAPTER TWO. - -THE "COYOTEROS." - -The moving miners are not the only travellers making for the Cerro -Perdido on this same day. Just as they have sighted it, approaching -from the south, another party is advancing towards it from the north, -though not yet within view of it, from being farther off, with a swell -of the plain interposed. - -Very different in appearance, and, indeed, almost in every respect, is -this second band from that already introduced to the reader; in count of -men outnumbering the latter by more than treble, though in bulk as a -moving mass far inferior to it. For with it are no wagons, nor wheeled -vehicles of any kind; no mule train nor cattle drove. Neither are they -encumbered with women and children, least of all a _litera_ and ladies. -All men, and every one of them on horseback, each bearer of his own -baggage, as well he may be, so little and light it is. Their sole -_impedimenta_ consist of a few trifling commodities, chiefly provision -wallets, with water gourds (_xuages_) strapped over their shoulders or -tied to the wither-locks of their horses. Equally unobstructive is -their garb, few of them having other articles of dress than a -breech-clout, leggings, and moccasins, with a rolled-up blanket or -_serape_ in reserve. The exceptions are some half-dozen, who appear to -exercise authority, one especially holding command over all. - -His insignia are peculiar; a coat of arms that would puzzle all the -heraldic colleges of Christendom. Nor does he wear it on his shield, -though one he carries. It is borne on his naked breast of bronze black, -in a tattooing of vivid red; the device, a rattlesnake coiled and -couchant, with tail and head erect, jaws wide agape, and forked tongue -protruding ready to strike. Beneath are other symbols equally eloquent -of anger and menace; one in white, set centrally, well known all over -the world--the "death's head and crossbones." - -It need hardly be said that he, embellished with this savage -investiture, is an Indian, and his following the same. Indians they -are, of a tribe noted for bloodthirstiness beyond all others of their -race; for they are the Wolf-Apaches, or Coyoteros, so called because of -mental and moral attributes which liken them to the _coyote_--jackal of -the Western world. - -Unaccompanied by their women and children, as unencumbered with baggage, -proclaims them on a warlike expedition--a _maraud_; their arms and -equipments telling of the same. They carry guns, and long-shafted -lances with pennons attached, that no doubt once waved above the heads -of Mexican _lanzeros_. Pistols too, some even having revolvers, with -rifles of latest pattern and patent; of which by their way of handling -them they well know the use. If civilisation has taught them nothing -else, it has how to _kill_. - -They are marching along, not in ruck, or straggling crowd, but regular -formation, aligned in rank and file, "by twos." Long since have the -Horse Indians of both prairie and pampa learnt the military tactics of -their pale-faced foes--those special to cavalry--and practise them. But -nowhere with more ability and success than in the northern states of -Mexico--Tamaulipas, Chihuahua, and Sonora--where Comanches, Navajoes, -and Apaches have charged in battle line, breaking that of their white -adversaries, and scattering them as chaff. "Indian file," oft used as a -synonym for "single file," is a march formation long since abandoned by -these Transatlantic Centaurs, save where the nature of the ground makes -it a necessity. - -None such exists on the open _llano_, where this Apache band is now; and -they might move in a column or extended line, if willing it; but -numbering scant two hundred, they prefer the double file. Unlike the -miners, in their three days' traverse of a waterless desert, they have -been making way through a district with which they are familiar; -acquainted with all the camping-places--every stream, spring, and pond-- -so they have not suffered from want of water. Nor are they likely now, -since their course lies along the banks of a creek--a tiny rivulet, yet -running, despite the continued drought. It is a branch of the Rio San -Miguel of the maps--locally known as the Horcasitas--and they are -descending it southward, thirst having no terrors for them. - -Just as the sun is about to set they catch sight of the Cerro Perdido. -To them it is not known by that name, but _Nauchampa-tepetl_. Somewhat -strange this, pointing to an affinity known to exist between the Indians -of Northern Mexico and the Aztecans of the South. In the language of -these last the mountain Perote bears the same designation, the "Cofre" -usually attached being synonymous with "Nauchampa," both signifying -chest, or box. For the Cerro Perdido, viewed from certain points, bears -a quaint resemblance to this, as does also the summit of Perote. - -Neither philology nor ethnography is in the minds of this band of -redskins; their thoughts are dwelling on a subject altogether -different--robbery and murder. For they _are_ on the maraud; their -objective point the towns on the Horcasitas. - -Just now, however, as they sight the Cerro, another question occupies -them: whether it be prudent or possible to continue on to it without -halting for the night. Some say Yes, but most No. It is still good -twenty miles off, though appearing scarce ten. In the diaphanous -atmosphere of the Sonora tableland distances are deceptive, as Pedro -Vicente has said. But the native inhabitants, above all the aborigines, -are aware of this, and reckon accordingly. Besides, the Coyoteros, like -the _gambusino_, have been over the ground before, and are familiar with -every foot of it. So distance has nought to do with their discussion, -save as it affects the capability of their horses. Since morning they -have made fifty miles, and are fagged; twenty more would be killing work -for them. And the twenty to Nauchampa-tepetl will be a nice distance to -their next day's noon halt. - -The question of continuing on is at length decided in the negative, by -him of the grotesque heraldry dropping down from his horse, and -proceeding to picket the animal on the grass. As his example has the -force of a command, all the others follow it, and camp is quickly -formed. A simple affair this; only the tethering out of their steeds, -and stripping them of such caparison as they carry. Then follows a -search for dry faggots, and the kindling of a fire; not for warmth, but -cooking. There is a bit of butchering to precede; these redskinned -rovers having their commissariat on the hoof--this in the shape of some -spare horses driven along _en caballada_. A knife drawn across the -throat of one lets his blood out in a torrent, and he drops down dead,-- -to be skinned and cut up in a trice, the pieces impaled upon sticks and -held over the blaze of the fire. - -But the hippophagists avail themselves of other comestibles of a -vegetable kind; seeds from the cones of the _pinon_, or edible pine, and -beans of the _algarobia_--trees of both sorts growing near. Enough of -both are collected and roasted, to form an accompaniment to the -horseflesh. - -Fruit they find too on several species of cactus; the best of them on -the _pitahaya_, whose tall rigid stems, with limbs like the branches of -a candelabrum, tower up around their camp. So, in the desert--for it is -such--they are enabled to end their dinner with dessert. To provide -something for breakfast besides, a viand rare and strange, but familiar -to them, a branch of their tribe--the "Mezcaleros"--making it their -staple food, even to deriving their tribal appellation from it. For it -is the mezcal plant, one of the wild species of magueys (_Agave -Mexicana_). The central core, from which radiate the stiff spinous -blades, is the part eaten, and the mode of preparing it is now made -manifest in the Coyotero camp. Several plants are torn out by the -roots, their leaves hacked off, and the skin of the core itself cut -away--leaving an egg-shaped mass of white vegetable substance, large as -a man's head, or a monster mangold-wurzel. Meanwhile, a hole has been -"crowed" in the ground, pit-shaped, its sides fended by flat stones, -with a like pavement at the bottom. Into this red coals are flung, nigh -enough to fill it; an interval allowed for these to smoulder into ashes, -and the stones become burning hot. The mezcals, already wrapped up in -the horse's skin late stripped off, red side inward, along with some -loose pieces of the flesh, and the bundle is lowered down into the -improvised oven, then all covered over with a coat of turf. Thus buried -it is left to bake all night, and in the morning will afford them a meal -Lucullus need not have disdained to partake of. - -The Coyoteros, well sure of this, go to sleep contentedly and without -care; each rolled-up in his own wrap, his couch the naked earth, -canopied by a star-bespangled sky. - -In that uninhabited and pathless wilderness, or with paths only known to -themselves, they have little fear of encountering an enemy; and as -little dream they that within less than two hours' gallop of their -camping-ground is another camp occupied by the foes of their race, too -few to resist their attack. Knew they but this, there would be a quick -uprising among them, a hasty springing to horse, and hurried ride -towards Nauchampa-tepetl. - - - -CHAPTER THREE. - -A RUSH FOR WATER. - -Meanwhile, with many a crack of whip and cry of "_Anda!" "Mula -maldita_!" the miners have been toiling on towards the Lost Mountain. -At slow pace, a crawl; for their animals, jaded and distressed by the -long-endured thirst, have barely strength enough left to drag the wagons -after them. Even the pack-mules totter under their loaded _alparejas_. - -Viewing the eminence from the place where they had pulled up, the mine -labourers, like the Englishman, had been inclined to doubt the guide's -allegation as to the distance. Men whose lives are for the most part -spent underground, are as sailors ashore when above it, oddly ignorant -of things on the surface, save what may be learnt inside a liquor -saloon. Hence their unbelief in Vicente's statement was altogether -natural. But the mule and cattle-drivers knew better, and that the -_gambusino_ was not deceiving them. - -All come to this conclusion ere long, a single hour sufficing to -convince them of their mistake; at the end of which, though moving -continuously on, and making the best speed in their power, the mountain -seems far off as ever. And when a second hour has elapsed, the -diminution of distance is barely perceptible. - -The sun is low down--almost touching the horizon--as they get near -enough to the Cerro to note its peculiar features; for peculiar these -are. Of oblong form it is; and, viewed sideways, bears resemblance to a -gigantic catafalque or coffin, its top level as the lid. Not smooth, -however, the horizontal line being broken by trees and bushes that stand -in shaggy silhouette against the blue background of sky. At all points -it presents a _facade_ grim and precipitous, here and there enamelled by -spots and streaks of verdure, wherever ledge or crevice gives plants of -the scandent kind an opportunity to strike root. It is about a mile in -length, trending nearly north and south, having a breadth of about half -this; and in height some five hundred feet. Not much for a mountain, -but enough to make it a conspicuous object, visible at a great distance -off over that smooth expanse of plain. All the more from its standing -solitary and alone; no other eminence within view of it, neither -_sierra_ nor spur; so looking as if strayed and _lost_--hence the quaint -appellation it bears. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -"At which end is the lake, Senor Vicente?" asks the elder Tresillian, as -they are wending their way towards it; he, with Don Estevan and the -guide, as before, being in advance of the wagon train. - -"The southern and nearer one, your worship. And luckily for us it is -so. If it were at the other end, we'd still have a traverse of a league -at least before reaching it." - -"How's that? I've heard that the Cerro is only a mile in length." - -"True, senor, that's all. But there are rocks strewn over the _llano_ -below, for hundreds of yards out, and so thick we couldn't take the -wagons through them. I suppose they must have fallen from the cliffs, -but how they got scattered so far, that puzzles me, though rocks have -been the study of my life." - -"So they have, Pedro," put in Don Estevan. "And you've studied them to -some purpose. But let us not enter into a geological discussion now. I -feel more concerned about something else." - -"About what, your worship?" - -"Some memory tells me that Indians are accustomed to visit the Cerro -Perdido. Though I can see no sign of human being about it, who knows -but there might be?" - -This is said after examination of the plain all along the base of the -mountain through a field-glass, which Don Estevan habitually carries on -his person. - -"Therefore," he continues, "I think it advisable that some five or six -ride ahead--those who are best mounted--and make sure that the coast is -clear. In case of redskins being there in any formidable numbers, the -knowledge of it in time will enable us to form _corral_, and so better -defend ourselves should we be attacked." - -Before becoming a master miner, Don Estevan had been a soldier, and seen -service on the Indian frontier, in more than one campaign against the -three great hostile tribes, Comanches, Apache, and Navajo. For which -reason the _gambusino_, instead of making light of his counsel, -altogether approves of it--of course volunteering to be himself of the -reconnoitring party. - -In fine, there is another short halt, while the scouts are being -selected; half a dozen men of spirit and mettle, whose horses are still -strong enough to show speed, should there be Indians and pursuit. - -Of the half-dozen, Henry Tresillian is one; he coming up quick to the -call. No fear of his horse giving out, or failing to carry him safe -back if pursued, and whoever the pursuers. A noble animal of Arab -strain it is, coal-black, with a dash of dun-colour between the hips and -on either side of the muzzle. Nor shows it signs of distress, as the -others, notwithstanding all it has come through. For has not its young -master shared with it every ration of water served out along the way, -even the last one that morning? - -In a few minutes the scouting party is told off, and, after receiving -full instructions, starts onward. - -The elder Tresillian has made no objection to his son being of it; -instead, being rather proud of the spirit the latter is displaying, and -follows him with admiring eyes as he rides off. - -Still another pair of eyes go after him, giving glances in which pride -and fear are strangely commingled. For they are those of Gertrudes -Villanueva. She is proud that he, whom her young heart is just learning -to love, should possess such courage, while apprehensive of what may -come of it. - -"_Adelante_!" calls out the _mayor-domo_, who has chief charge of the -caravan; and once more there is a vigorous wielding of whips, with an -objurgation of mules, as the animals move reluctantly and laboriously -on. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -In twenty minutes after, all is changed with them. Horse and hybrid-- -every animal in the train--have raised head and pricked up ears, with -nostrils distended. Even the horned cattle to rearward have caught the -infection, and low loudly in response to the neighing of the horses and -the hinneying of the mules. There is a very _fracas_ of noises, like a -Bedlam broke loose, the voice of the _mayor-domo_ rising above all as he -cries out, - -"_Guarda, la estampeda_!" - -And a "stampede" it becomes, all knowing the cause. The animals have -scented water, and no longer need whip-lash or cry to urge them on. -Instead, teamsters and _arrieros_ find it impossible to restrain them, -for it were a struggle against Nature itself. Taking the bits between -their teeth, and regardless of rein, horses, mules, all rush -simultaneously and madly forward, as if each had a score of gadflies -with their venomous probosces buried deep in its body. - -A helter-skelter it is, with a loud hullaballoo, the heavily-laden -wagons drawn over the ground as light-like and with the velocity of -bicycles, and making noise as of thunder. For now, near the mountain's -foot, the plain is bestrewed with stones, some big enough to raise the -wheels on high, almost to overturning the vehicles, eliciting agonised -cries from the women and children inside them. No more are Indians -thought of for the time; enough danger without that, from upsets, broken -bones, indeed death. - -In the end none of these eventualities arise. Luckily--and more by good -luck than guiding--the wagons keep their balance, and they within them -their places, till all come to a stand again. While still tearing on, -they see before them a disc of water lit up by the last rays of -departing sunlight, with half a dozen horsemen--the reconnoitring -party--drawn up on its edge, in attitude of wonder at their coming after -so soon. - -But their animals, still in rush, give no opportunity for explanation. -On go they into the lake, horses, mules, and cattle mingled together; -nor stop till they are belly-deep, with the water up over their -nostrils. No more neighing nor lowing now, but all silent, swilling, -and contented. - - - -CHAPTER FOUR. - -EL OJO DE AGUA. - -Morning dawns upon the Lost Mountain, to disclose a scene such as had -never before been witnessed in that solitary spot. For never before had -wagon, or other wheeled vehicle, approached it. Remote from town or -civilised settlement, leagues away from any of the customary routes of -travel, the only white men having occasion to visit it had been hunters -or gold-seekers, and their visits, like those of angels, few and far -between. Red men, however, have sought it more frequently, for it is -not far from one of their great war-trails--that leading from the Apache -country to the settlements on the Horcasitas, so serving these savages -as a convenient halting-place when on raid thither. The reconnoitring -party, sent in advance of the caravan, had discovered traces of their -presence by the lake's edge; but none recent, and nothing to signify. -There were no fresh tracks upon the meadow-grass, nor the belt of naked -sand around the water, save those of wild animals that had come thither -to quench their thirst. - -In confidence, therefore, the miners made camp, though not negligently -or carelessly. The old _militario_ had seen too much campaigning for -that, and directed the wagons to be drawn up in a _corral_ of oval -shape, tongues and tails united as the links of a chain. Lone-bodied -vehicles, the six enclose a considerable space--enough to accommodate -all who have need to stay inside. In case of attack it could be still -further strengthened by the bales, boxes, and _alparejas_ of the -pack-mules. Outside the animals were staked, and are still upon their -tethers, though without much concern about their running away. After -the long traverse over the dry _llanos_, and the suffering they have -endured, now on such good grass, and beside such sweet water, they will -contentedly stay till it please their masters to remove them. - -Fires had been kindled the night before, but only for cooking supper; it -is summer, and there is no discomfort from cold--heat rather. And now -at dawn the fires are being re-lighted with a view to _desayuna_, and -later on breakfast; for, though the caravan had unexpectedly run short -of water, its stock of provisions is still unexhausted. - -Among the earliest up--nay, the very first--is Pedro Vicente. Not with -any intention to take part in culinary operations. _Gambusino_ and -guide, he would scorn such menial occupations. His reasons for being so -early astir are altogether different and twofold; though but one of them -has he made known, and that only to Henry Tresillian. Overnight, ere -retiring to rest, he had signified his intention to ascend the Cerro in -the morning--soon as there was enough of daylight to make the ascent -practicable--in hopes of finding game both of the furred and feathered -sorts, he said. For in addition to his _metier_ as guide to the -caravan--being a skilled hunter as well as gold-seeker--he holds -engagement to supply it with venison, or such other meat commodity as -may fall to his gun. For days he has had but little opportunity of -showing his hunter skill. On the sterile tract through which they have -been passing birds and quadrupeds are scarce, even such as usually -inhabit it having gone elsewhere in consequence of the long-continued -drought. All the more is he desirous to make up for late deficit, and -at least furnish the table of the quality with something fresh. He -knows there are game animals on the mountain--a _mesa_, as already said, -level-topped, with trees growing over it, besides water; for there is -the fountain's head, source of the stream and lake below. On the night -before, he had spoken of wild sheep as likely to be found above, with -antelopes, and possibly a bear or two, also turkeys. Now, in the -morning, he is sure about these last, having heard them, as is their -wont before sunrise, saluting one another with that sonorous call from -which they derive their Mexican name, _guajalote_. - -These confidences he has imparted to Henry Tresillian, who is to -accompany him in the chase, though not from any view of inspiring the -latter with its ardour. There is no need; the young Englishman being a -hunter by instinct, with a love for natural history as well, and the -Lost Mountain promises rich reward for the climbing, in discovery as in -sport. Besides, the two have been _compagnons de chasse_ all along the -route; habitually together, the fellow-feeling of huntership making such -association congenial. So, early as is the Mexican afoot, he beats the -English youth by barely a minute of time; the latter seen issuing forth -from one of the tents that form part of the encampment, just as the -former has crawled out from between the wheels of a wagon, under which, -rolled-up in his _frezada_, he had passed the night. - -With just enough light to identify him, Henry Tresillian is seen to be -habited in shooting coat, breeches, and gaiters, laced buskins, and a -tweed cloth cap; in short, the costume of an English sportsman-- -shot-belt over the shoulders, and double-barrel in hand--about to attack -a pheasant preserve, or go tramping through stubble and swedes. The -_gambusino_ himself wears the picturesque dress of his class and -country; the gun he carries being a rifle, while the sword-like weapon -hanging along his hip is the ever-present _machete_--in Sonora sometimes -called _cortante_. - -As, overnight, the programme had been all arranged, their interchange of -speech at present has only reference to something in the way of -_desayuna_ before setting out. This they find ready and near; at the -central camp fire now blazing up, where several of the women, "whisks" -in hand, are bending over pots of chocolate, stirring the substantial -liquid to a creamy froth. - -A _taza_ of it is handed to each of the "_cazadores_," with a "_tortilla -enchilada_," accompanied by a graceful word of welcome. Then, emptying -the cups, and chewing up the tough, leatherlike maize cakes, the hunters -slip quietly out of camp, and set their faces for the Cerro. - -The ascent, commenced almost immediately, is by a ravine--a sort of -gorge or chine worn out by the water from the spring-head above and -disintegrating rains throughout the long ages. They find it steep as a -staircase, though not winding as one; instead, trending straight up from -its debouchment on the plain to the summit level, between slopes, these -with grim, rocky _facade_, still more precipitous. Down its bottom -cascades the stream--a tiny rivulet now, but in rain-storms a torrent-- -and along this lies the path, the only one by which the Cerro can be -ascended, as the _gambusino_ already knows. - -"There's no other," he says, as they are clambering upward, "where a man -could make the ascent, unless with a Jacob's ladder let down to him. -All around, the cliff is as steep as the shaft of a mine. Even the wild -sheep can't scale it, and if we find any on the summit--and it's to be -hoped we shall--they must either have been bred there, or gone up this -way. _Guarda_!" he adds, in exclamation, as he sees the impulsive -English youth bounding on rather recklessly. "Have a care! Don't -disturb the stones; they may go rattling down and smash somebody below." - -"By Jove! I didn't think of that," returns he thus cautioned, turning -pale at thought of how he might have endangered the lives of those dear -to him; then ascending more slowly, and with the care enjoined upon him. - -In due time they arrive at the head of the gorge, there stopping to take -breath. Only for an instant, when they proceed on, now no longer in a -climb, the path thence leading over ground level as the plain itself; -but still by the rivulet's edge, through a tangle of trees and bushes. - -At some two hundred yards from the head of the gorge they come into an -opening, the Mexican as he enters it exclaiming: - -"_El ojo de agua_!" - - - -CHAPTER FIVE. - -LOS GUAJALOTES. - -The phrase, "_ojo de agua_" (the water's eye), is simply the Mexican -name for a spring; which Henry Tresillian needs not to be told, being -already acquainted with the pretty poetical appellation. And he now -sees the thing itself but a few paces ahead, gurgling up in a little -circular basin, and sending off the stream which supplies the lake -below. - -In an instant they are upon its edge, to find it clear as crystal, the -_gambusino_ saying, as he unslings his drinking-cup of cow's horn, - -"I can't resist taking a swill of it, notwithstanding the gallons I had -swallowed overnight. After such a long spell of short-water rations, -one feels as though he could never again get enough." Then filling the -horn, and almost instantly emptying it, he concludes with the -exclamation "_Delicioso_!" - -His companion drinks also, but from a cup of solid silver; vessels of -this metal, even of gold, being aught but rare among the master-miners -of Sonora. - -They are about to continue on, when lo! a flock of large birds by the -edge of the open. On the ground these are--having just come out from -among the bushes--moving leisurely along, with beaks now and then -lowered to the earth; in short, feeding as turkeys in a pasture field. -And turkeys they are, the Mexican saying in a whisper: - -"_Los guajalotes_!" - -So like are they to the domestic bird--only better shaped and every way -more beautiful--that Henry Tresillian has no difficulty in identifying -them as its wild progenitors. One of superior size, an old cock, is at -their head, striding to and fro in all the pride of his glittering -plumage, which, under the beams of the new-risen sun, shows hues vivid -and varied as those of the rainbow. A very sultan he seems, followed by -a train of sultanas and their attendants; for there are young birds in -the flock, fledglings, that differ in appearance from the old ones. - -Suddenly the grand satrap erects his head, and with neck craned out, -utters a note of alarm. Too late. "Bang--bang!" from the -double-barrel--the sharper crack of the rifle sounding simultaneously-- -and the old cock, with three of his satellites, lies prostrate upon the -earth, the rest taking flight with terrified screeches, and a clatter of -wings loud as the "whirr" of a threshing machine. - -"Not a bad beginning," quietly observes the _gambusino_, as they stand -over the fallen game. "Is it, senorito?" - -"Anything but that," answers the young Englishman, delighted at having -secured such a good bottom for their bag. "But what are we to do with -them? We can't carry them along." - -"Certainly not," rejoins the Mexican. "Nor need. Let them lie where -they are till we come back. But no," he adds, correcting himself. -"That will never do. There are wolves up here, no doubt--certainly -coyotes, if no other kind--and on return we might find only feathers. -So we must string them up out of reach." - -The stringing up is a matter which occupies only a few minutes' time; -done by one leg thrust through the opened sinew of the other to form a -loop; then the birds hoisted aloft, and hung upon the up-curving arms of -a tall _pitahaya_. - -"And now, on!" says the _gambusino_, after re-loading guns. "Let us -hope we may come across something in the four-legged line, big enough to -give everybody a bit of fresh meat for dinner. Likely we'll have to -tramp a good way before sighting any; the report of our guns will have -frighted both birds and beasts, and sent all to the farthest side of the -_mesa_. But no matter for that. I want to go there direct, and at -once, for a reason, _muchacho_, I've not yet made known to you." - -While speaking, an anxious expression has shown itself on the -_gambusino's_ face, which, taken in connection with his last words, -leads Henry Tresillian to suspect something in, or on, his mind, beside -the desire to kill game. Moreover, before leaving the camp he had -noticed that the Mexican seemed to act in a manner more excited than was -his wont--as if in a great hurry to get away. That, no doubt, for the -reason he now hints at; though what it is the young Englishman cannot -even give a guess. - -"May I know it now?" he asks, with some eagerness, noting the grave -look. - -"Certainly you may, and shall," frankly responds the Mexican. "I would -have told you sooner, and the others as well, but for not being sure -about it. I didn't like to cause an alarm in the camp without good -reason. And I hope still there's none. After all it may not have been -smoke." - -"Smoke! What?" - -"What I saw, or thought I saw, yesterday evening, just after we arrived -by the lake's edge." - -"Where?" - -"To the north-east--a long way off." - -"But if it was a smoke, what would that signify?" - -"In this part of the world, much. It might mean danger; ay, death." - -"You astonish--mystify me, Senor Vicente. How could it mean that?" - -"There's no mystery in it, _muchacho_. Where smoke is seen there should -be fire; and a fire on these _llanos_ is likely to be one with Indians -around it. Now do you understand the danger I'm thinking of?" - -"I do. But I thought there were no Indians in this part of the country, -except the Opatas; and they are Christianised, dwelling in towns." - -"True, all that. But the Opata towns are far from here, and in an -entirely different direction--the very opposite. If smoke it was, the -fire that made it wasn't one kindled by Opatas, but men who only -resemble them in the colour of their skin--Indians, too." - -"What Indians do you suspect?" - -"_Los Apaches_." - -"Danger indeed, if they be in the neighbourhood." The young Englishman -has been long enough in Sonora to have acquaintance with the character -of these cruel savages. "But I hope they're not," he adds, trustfully, -still with some apprehension, as his thoughts turn to those below. - -"That hope I heartily echo," rejoins the Mexican, "for if they be about, -we've got to look out for the skin of our heads. But come, _muchacho -mio_! Don't let us be down in the mouth till we're sure there _is_ a -danger. As I've said, I'm not even sure of having seen smoke at all. -It might have been a dust-whirl, just as I noticed the thing, the -_estampeda_ commenced; and after it the rush for water, which of course -took off my attention. When that was over, and I again turned my eyes -north-eastward, it was too dark to distinguish smoke or anything else. -I then looked for a light all along the sky-line, and also several times -during the night--luckily to see none. For all I can't help having -fears. A man who's once been prisoner to the Apaches never travels -through a district where they are like to be encountered without some -apprehension. Mine ought to be of the keenest. I've not only been -their prisoner, but rather roughly handled, as no doubt you'll admit -after looking at this." - -Saying which, the Mexican opens his shirt-front, laying bare his breast; -on which appears a disc, bearing rude resemblance to a "death's head," -burnt deep into the skin. - -"They gave me that brand," he continues, "just by way of amusing -themselves. They meant to have further diversion out of it by using me -as a target, and it for a centre mark at one of their shooting matches. -Luckily, before that came off, I found the chance of giving them -leg-bail. Now, _muchacho_, you'll better understand my anxiety to be up -here so early, and why I want to push on to the other end. _Vamonos_!" - -Shouldering their guns, they proceed onward; now at slower pace, their -progress obstructed by thick-growing bushes and trees, with _llianas_ -interlacing. For beyond the spring there is neither stream nor path, -save here and there a slight trace, often tortuous, which tells of the -passage of wild animals wandering to and fro. The hunters are pleased -to see it thus; still more when the Mexican, noting some hoof-marks in a -spot of soft ground, pronounces them tracks of the _carnero cimmaron_. - -"I thought we'd find some of the bighorn gentry up here," he says; "and -if all the caravan don't this day dine on roast mutton, it'll be because -Pedro Vicente isn't the proper man to be its purveyor. Still, we -mustn't stop to go after the sheep now. True, we've begun the day -hunting, but before proceeding farther with that, we must make sure we -shan't have to end it fighting. Ssh!" - -The sibillatory exclamation has reference to a noise heard a little way -off, like the stroke of a hoof upon hard turf, several times rapidly -repeated. And simultaneous with it another sound, as the snort or bark -of some animal. - -"That's a _carnero_, now!" says the Mexican, _sotto voce_; as he speaks, -coming to a stop and laying hold of the other's arm to restrain him. -"Since the game offers itself without going after, or out of our way, we -may as well secure a head or two. Like the turkeys, it can be strung up -till our return." - -Of course his _compagnon de chasse_ is of the same mind. He but longs -to empty his double-barrel again, all the more at such grand game, and -rejoins, saying, "Just so; it can." - -Without further speech they stalk cautiously forward, to reach the edge -of another opening, and there behold another flock--not of birds, but -quadrupeds. Deer they might seem at the first glance, to eyes -unacquainted with them; and for such Henry Tresillian might mistake -them, but that they show no antlers; instead, horns of a character -proclaiming them sheep. - -Sheep they are, wild ones, different from the domesticated animal as -greyhound from dachshund. No short legs nor low bodies theirs; no bushy -tails, nor tangle of wool to encumber them. Instead, coats clean and -smooth, with limbs long, sinewy, and supple as those of stag itself. -Several pairs of horns are visible in the flock, one pair spirally -curving much larger than any of the others; indeed, of such dimensions, -and seeming weight, as to make it a wonder how the old ram, their owner, -can hold up his head. Yet is it he who is holding head highest; the -same who had snorted, hammering the ground with his hoof. - -He has done so, repeatedly, since; the last time to be the last in his -life. Through the leafy branches, cautiously parted, shoots out a -double jet of flame and smoke; three cracks are heard; then again there -is dead game on the ground. - -This time, however, counting less in heads; only one--that carrying the -grand curvature of horns. Alone the leader of the flock has fallen to -the second fusillade, killed by the rifle's bullet. For the shot from -the double-barrel, though hitting too, has glanced off the thick -felt-like coats of the _carneros_ as from a corslet of steel. - -"_Carrai_!" exclaims the _gambusino_, with a vexed air, as they step up -to the fallen quarry. "This time we haven't done so well--in fact, -worse than nothing." - -"But why?" queries the young Englishman, in wonder at the other's -strange words and ways, after having made such a big kill. - -"Why, you ask, senorito! Don't your nostrils tell you? _Mil diablos_! -how the brute stinks!" - -Truth he speaks, as his hunting companion, now standing over the dead -body of the bighorn, can well perceive--sensible of an offensive odour -arising from it as that of ram in the rutting season. - -"What a fool I've been to spend bullet upon him!" continues the Mexican, -without awaiting rejoinder. "Nor was it his great bulk or horns that -tempted me. No; all through thinking of that other thing, which made me -careless which of them I aimed at." - -"What other thing?" - -"The smoke. Well, it's no use crying over spilt milk nor any to bother -more about the brute. It's only fit food for coyotes; and the sooner -they get it into their bellies the better. Faugh! Let us away from -it." - - - -CHAPTER SIX. - -A HOMERIC REPAST. - -Early as are the white men astir, yet earlier are the red ones. For the -Coyoteros, like the animal from which they derive their tribal name, do -more of their prowling by night than by day. Moreover, it is the sultry -season, and they design reaching Nauchampa-tepetl before the sun gets so -high and hot as to make travelling uncomfortable. Even savages are not -averse to comfort; though these are now thinking more about that of -their horses than their own. They are on an expedition that will need -keeping the animals up to their best strength; and journeying in the -noon hours would distress and pull them down. - -So nearly an hour before dawn declines itself they are up and active, -moving about in the dim light, silent as spectres. Silent, not from any -fear of betraying their presence to an enemy--they know of none likely -to be near--but because it is their habit. - -What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give -greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a -bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout -the night being now trampled down. - -Next, they proceed to take care of themselves--to fortify the inner man -with a bit of breakfast. No fire is needed for the cooking it, and none -is kindled. The _mezcal_ and horse-meat pie has been baking all the -night; and now, near morning, they know it will be ready--done to a -turn. It but needs the turf lifted off their primitive oven, and the -contents extracted. - -Five or six, detailed for the task, at once set about it; first taking -off the top sods, now calcined and still smoking. Then the loose mould, -which the fire has converted into ashes, is removed with more care. It -is hot, and needs handling gingerly; but the savage _cuisiniers_ know -how, and soon the black bundle is exposed to view, the hide now hairless -and charred, but moist and reeking. It still adheres sufficiently to -bear hoisting out, without fear of spilling the contents; and at length -it is so lifted and carried to a clean spot of sward. Then cut open and -spread out, there is displayed a steaming savoury mass, whose appetising -odour, borne upward and outward on the fresh morning air, inspires every -redskin around with delightful anticipations. - -And not without reason either. To say nothing of the baked horseflesh-- -by many _gourmets_ esteemed a delectable dish--the corn of the _mezcal_, -treated thus, is a viand palatable as peculiar. And peculiar it is, -bearing resemblance to nothing I either know or can think of. In -appearance it is much like candied citron, with a sweetish taste too, -only firmer and darker in colour. But while eating it the tongue seems -penetrated with a thousand tiny darts; a sort of prinkling sensation, -quite indescribable, and, to one unaccustomed to it, not altogether -agreeable. In time this passes away; and he who has made the experiment -of eating _mezcal_ comes to like it exceedingly. Many grand people -among the whites regard it in the light of a luxury; and as such it has -found its way into most Mexican towns--even the capital itself--where it -commands a high price. - -With the Apache Indians, as already said, it is a staple food, even -giving their tribal name to one branch of this numerous nation--the -Mezcaleros. But all eat of it alike, and the Coyoteros, _en bivouac_, -show, by their knowledge of how to prepare it, that baked _mezcal_ is -noways new to them. - -At the word "ready!" they gather around the hot steaming mass; and, -regardless of scorched lips or tongues, set upon it with knife and -tooth. - -Soon the skin is cleaned out, every scrap of its contents eaten. They -could eat the hide too, and would, were there a pinch. But there is -none such now, and it is left for their namesakes, the coyotes. - -A smoke follows the Homeric repast, for all American Indians are -addicted to the use of the nicotian weed. They were so before the -caravels of Columbus spread sail on the Haytian seas. - -Every Coyotero in camp has his pipe and pouch of tobacco, be it genuine -or adulterated; this depending on how their luck has been running, or -how recent their latest raid upon some settlement of the palefaces. - -Pipes smoked out and returned to their places of deposit, all are afoot -again. Nothing more now but to draw picket-pins, coil up trail-ropes, -mount, and move off; for their horse caparison, scant and easily -adjusted, is already on. - -The chief gives the order "to horse," not in words, but by example-- -springing upon the back of his own. Then they ride off, as before, in -formation "by twos," each file falling into rank as the line lengthens -out upon the plain. - -Scarce is the last file clear of the abandoned camp-ground ere this -becomes occupied by animated beings of another kind--wolves, whose -howling has been heard throughout all the night. Having scented the -slaughtered horse, these now rush simultaneously towards it, to dispute -the banquet of bones. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -Shortly after leaving the camp the marching redskins lose sight of the -Cerro. This is accounted for by a dip in the plain, with a ridgelike -swell beyond, which runs transversely to their course. The hollow -continues for several miles before the mountain will be again in view; -but, well knowing the way, they need not this to guide them. Nor are -they in any particular hurry. They can reach their intended -halting-place by the lake long ere the sun becomes sultry, there to lie -up till the cool hours of evening. So they move leisurely along, and -with a purpose--to spare the sinews of their horses. - -They talk enough now, loudly and laughingly. They have slept well, and -breakfasted satisfactorily; besides, it is broad daylight, and no danger -to be apprehended, no fear of hostile surprise. For all that they keep -their eyes on the alert through habitude, every now and then scanning -the horizon around. - -Soon they see that which gives them something serious to speak about. -Not upon the horizon, nor anywhere upon the plain, but up in the heavens -above it--birds. What of them? And what in their appearance to attract -the attention of the Coyoteros? Nothing, or not much, were the birds -other than they are. But they are vultures, black vultures of two -sorts--_gallinazos_ and _zopilotes_. Nor would the Indians think of -giving them a second glance were they soaring about in their ordinary -way, wheeling in circles and spirals. But they are not; instead, -passing overhead in straight onward flight, with a quick, earnest plying -of wings, evidently making for some point where they expect to stoop -upon carrion. Scores there are of them, straggled out in a long stream, -but all flying in one direction--the same in which the savages are -themselves proceeding--towards Nauchampa-tepetl. - -What can be drawing the vultures thither? This the question which the -Indians ask one another, in their own formularies of speech; none able -to answer it, save by conjecture. Without in any way alarming, the -spectacle excites them; and they quicken their pace, eager to learn what -is attracting the birds. It should be something more than dead antelope -or deer, so many are tending towards it, and from so far. For their -high flight, straight onward, tells of their having been for some time -keeping the same course. - -Hastening on up the slope of the swell, the dusky horsemen once more -catch sight of the mountain, there to see what brings them to an abrupt -halt--a filmy purplish haze hanging over its southern end, more -scattered higher up in the sky. Is it fog rising from the water they -know to be there? No: smoke, as their practised eyes tell them after -regarding it a moment. And with like celerity they interpret it, as -proceeding from the fire, or fires, of a camp. Other travellers, -anticipating them, are encamped by Nauchampa-tepetl, - -Who? Opatas? Not likely. Sons of toil--_Indicos mansos_--slaves, as -these the _bravos_, their kindred only in race, scornfully call them-- -the Opatas keep to their towns, and the patches of cultivation around -them. Improbable that they should have ventured into that wilderness so -far from home. More likely it is a party of palefaces; men in search of -that shining metal which, as the Apaches know, has often lured their -white enemies into the very heart of the desert, their own domain, and -to destruction--themselves the destroyers. If the smoke of those camp -fires they now see be over such a party, then is it doomed--at least so -mentally resolve the red centaurs, hoping it may be thus. - -While still gazing at the blue cloud, taking its measure, and discussing -the probabilities of who and what sort of men may be under it, another -appears before their eyes; this whiter and of smaller size--a mere puff -suddenly rising over the crest of the _mesa_, and separating from it as -it drifts higher. - -From the fire of a gun, or guns, as the Coyoteros can tell, though not -by any crack of one having reached their ears, since none has. In the -rarefied atmosphere of the high-lying _llanos_ the eye has the advantage -of the ear, sounds being heard only at short distance. They are still -more than ten miles from the mountain, and the report of a cannon, -discharged on its summit, would be barely audible to them. - -Still staying at halt, but keeping to their horses, the chief and others -in authority enter into consultation. And while they are deliberating -on the best course to be pursued, still another puff of smoke shoots up -over the _mesa_, similar to that preceding, but at a different point. -It aids them in coming to conclusions; for now they are sure there is a -camp of palefaces by the pond; and they above are hunters who have gone -up to get game, which the Indians know to be there in abundance. - -But what sort of palefaces? Of this they are not sure. Knowing it to -be a miners' camp, they would ride straight on for it, in gallop. But -it may be an encampment of _soldados_, which would make a difference. -Not that the Coyoteros are afraid to encounter Mexican soldiers--far -from it. Rather would they rejoice at finding it these. For their -tribe, their own branch of it, has an old score against the men in -uniform; and nothing would please them better than an opportunity to -settle it. Indeed, partly to seek this, with purposes of plunder -combined, are they now on the _war-trail_. Only in their mode of action -would there be a difference, in the event of the encampment turning out -to be occupied by _soldados_. Soldiers in that quarter should be -cavalry, and to approach them caution would be called for, with -strategy. But these red centaurs are soldiers themselves--veterans, -skilled, cunning strategists--and now give proof of it. For the time -has come for them to advance; which they do, not straight forward nor in -single body, but broken into two bands, one facing right, the other -left, with a design to enfilade the camp by approaching it from opposite -points. Separating at the start, the two cohorts soon diverge wide -apart, both making for the mountain, but with the intention to reach its -southern end on different sides. - -If the black vultures, still in streaming flight above, have hopes of -getting a repast there, they may now feel assured of its being a -plenteous one. - - - -CHAPTER SEVEN. - -LOS INDIOS! - -Parting from the despised carcase of the ram the hunters press onward, -the younger with mental resolve to return to it, come back what way they -will. Its grand spiral horns have caught his fancy: such a pair would -grace any hall in Christendom; and, though he cannot call the trophy his -own, since it fell not to his gun, he intends appropriating it. - -Only for a brief moment does the young Englishman reflect about them; in -the next they are out of his mind. For, glancing at the Mexican's face, -he again sees that look of anxious uneasiness noted before. It had -returned soon as the exciting incident of the sheep-shooting was over. -And knowing the cause, he shares it; no more thinking about the chase or -its trophies. - -They say but little now, having sufficient work to occupy them without -wasting time in words. For beyond the opening where the _carneros_ were -encountered, they find no path--not so much as a trace made by animals-- -and have to make one for themselves. As the trees stand close, with -_lianas_ interlacing, the Mexican is often compelled to use his -_machete_ for hewing out a passage-way; which he does with an -accompaniment of _carrambas_! thick as the underwood he chops at. - -Thus impeded, they are nearly an hour in getting through the -_chapparal_, though the distance passed is less than the half of a mile. -But at length they accomplish it, arriving on the _mesas_ outer edge, -close to that of the cliff. There the tall timber ends in a skirting of -low bushes, and their view is no longer obstructed. North, east, and -west the _llano_ is under their eyes to the horizon's verge, twenty -miles at least being within the scope of their vision. - -They aim not to scan it so far. For at a distance of little more than -ten they observe that which at once fixes their glance: a dun yellowish -disc--a cloud--with its base resting upon the plain. - -"Smoke, no--but dust!" exclaims the _gambusino_, soon as sighting it; -"and kicked up by the heels of horses--hundreds of them. There can be -nothing else out there to cause that. Horses with men on their backs. -If a _caballada_ of wild mustangs, the dust would show more scattered. -_Indios, por cierto! Carra-i_!" he says in continuation, the shade on -his brow sensibly darkening, as with a quick glance over his shoulder he -sees real smoke in that direction. "What fools we've been to kindle -fires! Rank madness. Better to have eaten breakfast raw. I myself -most to blame of any; I should have known the danger. By this they'll -have spied our camp smoke--that of our shots, too. Ah, _muchacho_! -we've been foolish in every way." - -Almost breathless from this burst of regret and self-recrimination, he -is for a while silent; his heart beating audibly, however, as with gaze -fixed on the far-off cloud, he endeavours to interpret it. But the dark -cloud soon becomes less dense, partially dispersed, and under it appears -something more solid; a clump of sombre hue, but with here and there -sparkling points. No separate forms can as yet be made out; only a -mass; but for all that, the _gambusino_ knows it to be composed of -horses and men, the corruscations being the glint of arms and -accoutrements, as the sun penetrates through to them. - -"What a pity," he exclaims, resuming speech, "I didn't think of asking -Don Estevan for the loan of his telescope! If we only had it here now! -But I can see enough without it; 'tis as I feared. No more hunting for -us to-day; but fighting ere the sun goes down--perhaps ere it reach -meridian. _Mira_! the thing's splitting into two. You see, senorito?" - -The senorito does see that the dust-cloud has parted in twain, as also -the dark mass underneath. And now they can distinguish separate forms; -horses with men on their backs, and a more conspicuous glittering of -arms, because of their being in motion. - -"Ah, yes!" adds the Mexican, with increased gravity of tone, "_Indios -bravos_ they are, hundreds of them. If Apaches, as sure they must, -Heaven help us all! I know what they mean by that movement. They've -sighted the camp smoke, and intend coming on along both sides of the -Cerro. That's why they've broken into two bands. Back to camp, as fast -as our legs can carry us! We've not a minute--not a second--to lose. -_Vamos_!" - -And back for camp they start, not to spend time on the way as when -coming from it, but in a run and rush along the path already opened-- -past the dead sheep, past the spring, and the strung-up turkeys, without -even staying to look at these, much less think of taking them along. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -The occupants of the miners' camp, men, women, and children, are up and -active now. Some are at work about the wagons, pouring water over their -wheels to tighten the tyres, loose from the shrinking of the wood; -others have set to mending harness and pack-saddles; while still others, -out on the open plain, are changing the animals to fresh spots of -pasturage. A small party is seen around the carcase of a bullock, in -the act of skinning it to get beefsteaks for breakfast. - -Several fires have been kindled, for the people are many, and have -separate messes, according to rank and vocation. Around these are the -women and grown girls, some bending over red earthenware pots that -contain chocolate and coffee, others on their knees with the _metate_ -stone in front, and _metlapilla_ in hand, crushing the boiled maize into -paste for the indispensable _tortillas_. The children play by the -lake's edge, wading ankle-deep into the water, plashing about like -little ducks; some of the bigger boys, who have improvised a rude -tackle, endeavouring to catch fish. In this remote tarn there are such, -as it has an affluent stream connecting it with the Rio Horcasitas--now -nearly dry, but at times having a volume of water sufficient for the -finny tribes to ascend to the lake, into which several species have -found their way. - -Within the space enclosed by the wagons--the _corral_--three tents have -been erected, and stand in a row. The middle one is a large square -marquee, the two flanking it of the ordinary bell shape. The marquee is -occupied by the senior partner and his senora; the one on the right by -their daughter and an Indian _moza_--her waiting-maid; the third affords -shelter and sleeping quarters for the two Tresillians. - -All three are for a time empty, their occupants having stepped out of -them. As known, Henry Tresillian has gone up to the summit of the -Cerro, and his father is moving about the camp in the company of the -_mayor-domo_, with an eye to superintendence of everything; while Don -Estevan, his wife, and daughter, have strolled out along the lake's edge -to enjoy the refreshing breeze wafted over its water. The three -promenaders have but made one turn along the sandy shore, and back -again, when they hear a cry which not only alarms them, but all within -and around the camp-- - -"_Los Indios_!" - -It has been sent from above--from the head of the ravine; and everybody -looks up--all eyes raised simultaneously. To see two men standing on a -projecting point of rock, their figures sharply outlined against the -blue background of sky; at the same time to recognise them as the -_gambusino_ and Henry Tresillian. Only for an instant are these at a -stand; only to shout down those terrible words of warning; then both -bound into the gorge, and come on at a rush, with risk of breaking their -necks. - -At its bottom they are met by an excited, clamorous crowd; surrounded -and assailed by a very tempest of interrogations. But to these they -vouchsafe no answer beyond that implied in their shout; instead, push on -to where Don Estevan and the elder Tresillian, now together, stand -awaiting them. The senior partner is the first to speak, addressing -himself to Vicente: - -"You've seen Indians, Don Pedro? Where?" - -"Out upon the _llano_, your worship--to north-eastward." - -"You're sure of it being Indians?" - -"Quite sure, senor. We were able to make horses with men on them; the -men unlike any with a white skin, but just as those with a red one. -Your worship can take my word for their being Indians." - -"I can, and do. But from what you say, it seems they're still a good -way off. How far, think you?" - -"Ten miles or more, when we came away from the place where we saw them. -They can't be much nearer yet, as we've not been over ten minutes on the -way." - -The quick time made by the hunters in return is attested by their -breathing; both with nostrils agape and breasts heaving up and down as -runners at the close of a hard-contested race. - -"'Tis well they're at such a distance," rejoins Don Estevan. "And lucky -your having sighted them before they got nearer." - -"Ah! senor, they'll soon be near; for I know they've sighted us--at -least the smoke of our camp, and are already making for it. Light -horsemen as they don't need long to traverse ten miles--on a plain like -this." - -"That's true," assents the _ci-devant_ soldier, with an air of troubled -impatience. "What do you advise our doing, Don Pedro?" - -"Well, for one thing, your worship, we mustn't remain here. We must -clear out of this camp as soon as possible. In an hour--ay, less--it -may be too late." - -"Your words want explaining, Don Pedro. I don't comprehend them. Clear -out of the camp! But whither are we to go?" - -"_Arriba_!" answers the guide, pointing to the gorge, "up yonder." - -"But we can't take the animals there. And to carry up our goods there -wouldn't be time." - -"I know it, your worship. And glad we may be to get ourselves safe up." - -"Then we're to abandon all? Is that what you advise?" - -"It is. I'm sorry I can give no better advice. There's no alternative -if we wish to live." - -"To lose everything," puts in the junior partner, "goods, animals, -machinery! That would be a terrible calamity. Surely, Senor Vicente, -we can defend the camp; our people are all well armed." - -"Impossible, Don Roberto; impossible were they ever so well armed. From -what I could make out of the Indian party it numbers hundreds to our -tens, sufficient of them to surround us on every side. And even if we -could keep them off during daylight, at night they'd crawl close enough -to set the camp on fire. Wagons, tilts, every stick and stitch of them -are dry as tinder; the very pack-saddles would be ablaze with the first -spark that fell on them." - -"But how know we that these Indians are hostile? After all, it may be -some friendly band; perhaps Opatas?" - -"No!" exclaims the _gambusino_ impatiently. "I saw enough to know -they're not Opatas, nor _mansos_ of any kind; enough to be sure they're -_bravos_, and almost sure, Apaches." - -"Apaches!" echo several voices in the surrounding, in tones proclaiming -the dread with which this name inspires the heart of every Sonoreno. -Every man present feels a creeping sensation in the skin of his head, as -though the scalping-knife were being brandished around it. - -"They're coming from the direction where Apaches would come," pursues -Vicente. "Besides, they have no baggage; not a woman or child to be -seen with them. All men, mounted and armed." - -"Indeed, if it be so," rejoins Don Estevan, with brow now darkly -shadowed, "we can expect no friendship from them." - -"No mercy either!" adds the gold-seeker. "Nor have we a right to expect -it, after the treatment they've had at the hands of Captain Gil Perez -and his men." - -All know to what Vicente alludes: a massacre of Apache Indians by a -party of Mexican soldiers, after being lured and lulled into false -security by professions of peace--cold-blooded and cruel, as any -recorded in the annals of frontier warfare. - -"I've said it. I'm good as sure they're Apaches," repeats the -_gambusino_, more impressively. "And it would be madness, sheer -insanity, to await them here. We must up to the _mesa_." - -"But will we be safe there?" - -"As in a citadel. No fortress ever contrived, or made by hand of man, -is strong as the Cerro Perdido. Twenty men could hold it against as -many hundreds--ay, thousands. _Carramba_! We may thank the Virgin for -providing us with such a secure retreat; so handy, and just in the nick -of time." - -"Then let us to it," assents Don Estevan, after a brief consultation -with his partner, who no longer opposes the step, though by it they may -lose their all. "We'll follow your advice, Senor Vicente; and you have -our authority to order everything as it seems best to you." - -"I've only one order to give, your worships; that's _arriba_! Up, all -and everybody!" - - - -CHAPTER EIGHT. - -TENDER LEAVE-TAKINGS. - -The excitement in the camp, already at full height, now changes to a -quick, confused hurrying to and fro, accompanied by cries of many kinds. -Here and there is heard the terrified scream of a woman, who, babe in -arms, fancies the spear of a savage pointed at her breast, to impale -herself and offspring. - -There is a rush for the gorge, up which a stream of human forms is soon -seen swarming as ants up their hill. And, with a gallantry which -distinguishes the miner as the mariner, the women and children are -permitted foremost place in the upward retreat, assisted by husbands. - -Without serious accident all succeed in reaching the summit, where the -women are left, the men who went with them hurrying back below. It is -hard to part with valuable property and cherished household gods--still -harder to see these appropriated by a hated enemy--and an effort is to -be made for saving what can be saved. At first they only thought of -their lives; but half a dozen men, who had sprung to their horses at the -earliest moment of alarm, and galloped out beyond the mountain's flank -to get better view, signal back that the Indians are not yet in sight. -So there is still a chance to take up a portion of the camp equipage, -with such goods as are likely to be most needed in the event of their -having to sustain a siege. - -"The ammunition and provender first!" shouts Vicente, back again at -camp, with full authority of direction. "Take up everything that's food -for man and loading for gun. After that whatever we'll have time for." - -Knowing their women now safe, the men work with spirit; and soon a -different sort of stream is seen ascending the gorge: a string of -burden-bearers, continuous from plain to summit; hastily returning down -again, relieved of their loads, to take up others. Never were bees so -busy. Some remain below, getting the goods out of the wagons, and -making packages of them, convenient for the difficult transport. The -bales and boxes--lading of the pack-mules--are broken open, and their -more valuable effects picked out and carried off; so that in a short -space of time not much remains save the mining tools and machinery, with -the heavier articles of house furniture. - -Could the Rattlesnake have known of this quick precautionary sacking of -the camp by its owners, he and his would have approached it in greater -haste. But they are seen coming on now. The mounted videttes have at -length signalled them in sight, they themselves galloping in at the same -time, and dropping down from their horses. - -There is a last gathering up of bundles, which includes the two smaller -tents--the marquee left standing. Then the final _debandade_; all -turning face towards the gorge, and toiling up it. - -No, not all as yet; more than one lingers below. For the horses must -needs be left behind; impossible to take them up a steep where only -goat, sheep, or clawed creature might go. And more than one has a -master who parts with it reluctantly. Regretfully, too, at thought of -its changing owner, and to such owner as will soon enter upon -possession. Even some of the teamsters and muleteers have an affection -for their mules, the head _arriero_ regarding the whole _atajo_ as his -children, and the "bell-mare" almost as a mother. Many a long mile and -league has he listened to her guiding bell; its cheerful tinkle -proclaiming the route clear along narrow dizzy ledge, or through deep -defile. And now he will hear its music no more. - -But the ties must be severed, the parting take place. Which it does, -amidst phrases and ejaculations of leave-taking, tender as though the -left ones were human beings instead of dumb brutes. "_Caballo-- -caballito querido_!" "_Mula-mulita mia_!" "_Pobre-pobrecita_! _Dios te -guarda_!" And mingled with these are exclamations of a less gentle -kind--anathemas hurled at the redskins coming on to take possession of -their pets. - -At this last Pedro Vicente is among the loudest. As yet he has had only -half-payment for his late discovered mine, the remaining moiety -dependent on the working it. And now the crash--all the mining -apparatus to be destroyed--perhaps the purchasing firm made bankrupt, if -even life be left them. Thinking of all this, and what he has already -suffered at the hands of "_Los Indios_" no wonder at his cursing them. -He, however, is not one of those taking affectionate and sentimental -farewell of their animals. His horse is a late purchase, and though of -fine appearance, has proved aught but a bargain. For there are "copers" -in Arispe as elsewhere, and the _gambusino_ has been their victim. -Hence he parts with the disappointing steed neither regretfully nor -reluctantly. But not with the saddle and bridle; these, of elaborate -adornment having cost him far more than the horse. So shouldering them, -he too re-ascends, last of all save one. - -That one is Henry Tresillian; and very different is the parting between -him and the animal of his belonging. The English youth almost sheds -tears as he stands by his horse's head, patting his neck and stroking -his muzzle, the last time he may ever lay hand on either. Nay, surely, -too surely, the last. And the noble creature seems to know it too, -responding to the caress by a low mournful whimpering. - -"Ah! my beautiful Crusader! to think I must leave you behind! And to be -ridden by a redskin--a cruel savage who will take no care of you. Oh! -it is hard--hard!" - -Crusader appears to comprehend what is said, for his answer is something -like a moan. It may be that he interprets the melancholy expression on -his master's face--that master who has been so kind to him. - -"A last farewell, brave fellow! Be it a kiss," says the youth, bringing -his lips in contact with those of the horse. Then pulling off the -headstall, with its attached trail-rope, and letting them drop to the -ground, he again speaks the sad word "farewell," and, turning back on -his beloved steed, walks hurriedly and determinedly away, as though -fearing resolution might fail him. - -Soon he commences climbing up the gorge; all the others who have gone -before now nearly out of it. But ere he has ascended ten steps, he -hears that behind which causes him to stop and look back. Not in alarm: -he knows it to be the neigh of his own horse, accompanied by the stroke -of his hoofs in quick repetition--Crusader coming on in a gallop for the -gorge. In another instant he is by its bottom, on hind legs, rearing up -against the rocky steep, as if determined to scale it. - -In vain: after an effort he drops back on all fours. But to rear up and -try again and again, all the while giving utterance to wild, agonised -neighs--very screams. - -To Henry Tresillian the sight is saddening, the sound torture, stirring -his heart to its deepest depths. To escape the seeing--though he cannot -so soon the hearing--he once more turns his back upon the horse, and -hastens on upward. But when halfway to the head, he cannot resist -taking another downward look. Which shows him Crusader yet by the -bottom of the gorge, but now standing still on all fours, as if resigned -to the inevitable. Not silent, however; instead, at short intervals, -giving utterance to that neigh of melancholy cadence, alike proclaiming -discomfiture and despair. - - - -CHAPTER NINE. - -"IT'S THE RATTLESNAKE." - -On again reaching the summit Henry Tresillian finds his father there -with Don Estevan and most of the men. These last, under the direction -of the _ci-devant_ soldier, are collecting large stones, and laying them -all round the head of the gorge. - -One might fancy them building a breastwork, but nothing of that kind is -their intention, none such being needed. As Vicente had said, it is a -fortress of nature's construction, stronger than any ever built by the -hand of man, and would defy breaching by all the artillery in the world. -Ammunition is what the stones are being collected for, to be rolled -down the slope in case the enemy should attempt scaling it. Most of -them have to be brought up out of the gorge itself, as but few lie loose -on the summit. A work that, with so many and willing hands, takes up -but short time, and soon a ridge appears in horseshoe shape around the -spot where the path leads out upon the level. - -Others of the men have gone on to the glade by the spring, where the -women and children are now assembled, the effects brought up from below -lying scattered about them. Some, still in affright, are moving -excitedly to and fro; others, with greater courage and calmness, have -taken seats on the boxes and bundles. - -The senora and her daughter, with the family servants, form a group -apart, the eyes of Gertrude scanning with anxious interrogative glance -each new party as it appears on the edge of the opening. She has been -told that Henrique is still upon the plain, and fears he may linger -there too long. - -As yet no move has been made to set up the tents, or otherwise establish -camp. There are some who cling to the hope that after all it may not be -necessary. The Indians have not yet shown themselves at the southern -end, and nothing is known of their character save by conjecture. As -that is based on but a distant view of them, it is little reliable; and -the guide is directed by Don Estevan to hasten north again, and see what -can be seen further. - -This time he takes the telescope with him, and signals are arranged -before starting. Gun signals, of course: a single shot to say the -Indians are still advancing towards the Cerro; two, that they are near; -a third, denoting their character made out; while a fourth will proclaim -them _bravos_, and of some hostile tribe. - -By this it might appear as if the _gambusino_ bore upon his person a -very battery of small arms; while in reality he has only his rifle, with -a pair of single-barrelled pistols of ancient fashion and doubtful fire. -But, as before, he is to be accompanied by Henry Tresillian, whose -double gun will make good any deficiency in the signal shots--should all -four be needed. - -This settled, off the two go again on their old track, first passing -through the glade by the _ojo de agua_. There the English youth tarries -a moment--only a brief one--to exchange a word with the senora, and a -tender glance with Gertrude, whose eyes follow him no longer in fear, -but now all admiration. She has been told of the strange parting -between him and his favourite steed--her favourite as well--and the -fearlessness he displayed, staying down upon the plain after all the -others had left it. - -"Such courage!" she mentally exclaims, as she sees him dash on after the -guide. "_Dios mio_! he dare do anything." - -Proceeding at a run, in less than fifteen minutes' time the videttes -arrive at their former place of observation on the projecting point of -the cliff; and without delay Vicente lengthens out the telescope, -raising it to his eye. To see, at first view, what justifies their -sounding the first and second signals: the savages still coming on for -the Cerro, and now near! - -"Fire off both your barrels!" he directs on the instant; and, without -lowering the glass, "Allow a little time between, that our people mayn't -mistake it for a single shot." - -The English youth, elevating the muzzle of his gun, presses the front -trigger, and then, after an interval, the back one, and the shots in -succession go reverberating along the cliff in echo upon echo. - -Scarce have these died away when the Mexican again speaks, this time not -only to say the other two signals are to be given, but with words and in -tone telling of even more. "_Carramba_!" he cries out, "just as I -expected, and worse! Apaches, and the cruellest, most hostile of all, -Coyoteros! Quick, _muchacho_!" he continues, still keeping the -telescope to his eye, "pull the pistols out of my belt and fire off -both." - -Again two loud cracks, with a few seconds of time between, resound along -the cliff, while the dusky horsemen, now near enough for their -individual forms to be distinguishable by the naked eye, are seen to -have come to a halt, seated on their horses and gazing upward. But -through the glass Vicente sees more, which still further excites him. - -"_Por todos demonios esta El Cascabel_!" (By all the devils it's the -Rattlesnake!) - -"El Cascabel!" echoes the English youth, less puzzled by the odd name -than surprised at the manner of him who has pronounced it. "Who is he, -Don Pedro?" - -"Ah, senorito! you'll find that out too soon--all of us, I fear, to our -cost. Yes!" he goes on talking, with the telescope still upheld, "'tis -El Cascabel, I can make out the death's head on his breast, original -pattern of that on my own. He and his made the copy, the brutes burning -it into my flesh in sheer wanton mockery. _Malraya_! we're in for it -now; a siege till the crack of doom, or till all of us are starved dead. -No hope of escaping it." - -"But if we surrender, might they not be merciful?" - -"Merciful! surrender to the Rattlesnake! That would be as putting -ourselves in the power of the reptile he takes his name from. You -forget Gil Perez and his massacre." - -"No, indeed. But was it Coyoteros he massacred?" - -"Coyoteros; and of this very band. El Cascabel's not like to have -forgotten that; and will now make us innocent people pay for it. _Ay de -mi_!" - -With this final exclamation, uttered in a tone of deep despondence, the -Mexican relapses into silence. But only for a few seconds longer, to -look through the telescope. He has seen enough to know all which can be -known, and too truly conjectures what is likely to ensue. - -The party of Indians, led by El Cascabel, is again moving onward, and a -sweep of the glass around to the north-west shows the other party making -to turn the mountain on its western side. The _gambusino_ can count -them now; sees that they number over two hundred, enough to put all hope -of a successful encounter with them out of the question. As for -retreat, it is too late for that. Surrounded are the luckless miners, -or soon will be; besieged on the summit of a mountain as within the -walls of a fortress, and as far removed from any chance of succour as -castaways on a desert isle in mid-ocean. - - - -CHAPTER TEN. - -AN ENFILADING LINE. - -The "stone artillery" has been got together; a huge pile of it, forming -at the same time protecting parapet and battery of guns; the men have -desisted from their work, and having nothing more to do, at least for a -time, stand listening for the signals. They know that such have been -arranged, without having been told their exact bearing. - -But they are soon to learn it; almost instantly after hearing a shot, -and then quick succeeding it another, as the discharges from a -double-barrelled gun. - -"The Indians coming on, and near!" says Don Estevan, interpreting to -those around. "We may look to see them soon yonder." - -He nods towards the abandoned camp, a portion of which is visible from -the head of the gorge. - -This causes a turning of all eyes in its direction, and on the _llano_ -beyond. But scarce have they commenced scanning it when two other -shots, less loud but with a like interval between, reach their ears, -proceeding from the same quarter. - -"The pistols--signals three and four!" mechanically pronounces the -ex-officer of dragoons, his sallow features showing further clouded. -"There's no more to listen for now," he adds. "Don Pedro was right. -Apaches they must be, and on a marauding expedition--likely for the -towns of the Horcasitas, and, unluckily, we in their way. Ah, _amigos_! -it's an ill look-out for us; could not well be worse." - -But worse it is, as they are yet to learn. And soon do learn from the -lips of the _gambusino_, who, returning in breathless haste, cries out -ere he is up to them, - -"_Los Coyoteros_! The band of El Cascabel!" - -Words of terrible portent, needing no explanation, for they recall to -the minds of all present that sanguinary incident already alluded to. -The dastardly deed of Captain Perez and his ruffianly soldiery is likely -to be retaliated on men, not only themselves guiltless, but every one of -whom has condemned it! For how can they expect mercy from the friends -and relatives of his murdered victims? How hope for any distinction or -exception in their favour? They cannot, and do not, knowing that ever -since that inhuman massacre the Apaches have treated every paleface as a -foe, the Coyoteros killing all prisoners that fall into their hands, -after torturing them. - -"You think it's the band of Cascabel?" - -It is Don Estevan who questions in rejoinder to the _gambusino's_ brief -but expressive report. - -"Think! I'm sure of it, your worship. Through this good glass of yours -I recognised that savage himself, knowing him too well. It enabled me -to make out his _totem_, the pretty device on his breast, of which this -on mine's but a poor copy. _Mira_!" - -While speaking, he unbuttons his shirt-front and draws the plaits apart, -as a screen from some precious picture, exposing to the view of all what -he had already shown to Henry Tresillian. As most of them remember -having heard of the sepulchral symbol borne by the Coyotero chief, with -that other more appropriate to his name, they now know the sort of enemy -that is approaching, and what they have to expect. No more among them -is there hope of either friendship or mercy. On one side, the stronger, -it will be attack hostile and vengeful; on the other, and weaker-- -theirs, alas!--it must be resistance and defence even unto death. - -Though fully convinced of this, the miners remain calm, with that -confidence due to danger seeming still distant. They know they are safe -for the time, unassailable, the _gambusino_ having given them assurance -of it. But they now see it for themselves, and any apprehensions they -have are less for the present than the future. Sure are they that a -siege is before them, how long they cannot guess, nor in which way it -will terminate. And there may be chances of relief or escape they have -not thought of. Hope is hard to kill, and the least hopeful of them has -not yet yielded to despair. Time enough for that when starvation stares -them in the face, for hunger--famine--is the foe they have most to fear. - -But they think not of things so far ahead. They must first see the -enemy of which their guide has given such awe-inspiring account; and, -with glances sent abroad and over that portion of the plain visible to -them, they await his appearance on it. - -Nearly another hour elapses without any enemy seen. The horses and -mules have got over their late excitement, and are again tranquilly -depasturing, some having waded into the lake to cool their hoofs, still -hot after their long _jornada_. But none wander away from the proximity -of the camp; the only animals out on the plain being prong-horn -antelopes, a herd of which, on their way to the water too, has been -deterred approaching it by the presence of huge monsters unknown to -them--the wagons. But these have not hindered the approach of the -black-winged birds; instead, attracted them, and a large flock is now -around the abandoned camp, some wheeling above, others at rest on the -ground or perched upon the rock-boulders which bestrew it. A crowd, -collected on the spot where the ox had been butchered for breakfast, -contest possession of its offal. - -All of a sudden, and simultaneously, a movement is perceptible among the -animals, birds as quadrupeds, the wild as the tame. The prong-horns -with a snort raise their heads aloft as if they saw or scented some new -danger, then lope off at lightning speed. The vultures take wing, but -only rise a little way into the air, to soar round in circles; while the -horses, mules, and horned cattle, as if seized by a frenzy of madness, -rush excitedly about, wildly neighing and bellowing, at each instant -threatening to break away in stampede. - -"They smell redskin," knowingly observes the _gambusino_, who is among -the rest watching their movements. "Yes; and we'll soon see the ugly -thing itself. _Chingara_! yonder it is." - -He has no need to point out either the thing or the place. The eyes of -all are now on it; the head of a dusky cohort just appearing round the -eastern projection of the Cerro, becoming elongated as file after file -unfolds itself. They are still afar off--at least a league--nor is -their line of march directed towards the mountain, but westward, as -though they intended turning it. - -No such manoeuvre is meant, however, as the miners, forewarned by their -guide, are already aware. His words are made good by their seeing soon -after another dark line developing itself on the _llano_, at a like -distance off, but coming from the opposite direction. - -"The party that went west about," says the _gambusino_, half in -soliloquy; "cunning in them to make a complete surround of us. I -suppose they thought we were but horsemen, and might get away from them. -If they'd seen our wagons, it would have saved them some trouble. -Well, they see everything now." - -No one makes rejoinder, all intently gazing at the two marching bands, -now with eyes on one, then quickly transferred to the other. The -portion of the plain visible is sextant-shaped--the view on either side -cut off by the flanking ridges of the ravine--and from each side the -string of savage horsemen is continuously lengthening out. Not rapidly, -but in slow leisurely crawl, as if confident they had already secured -the enfiladement of the camp. With a thicker concentration near the -head of each, and a metallic sparkle all along their line--the sheen of -their armour under the rays of the meridian sun--they appear as two huge -serpents of antediluvian age, deliberately drawing towards one another -either for friendship or combat. - -In due time their front files come together, near the central part of -the sextant; though the rear ones are still invisible;--how many of -these no one knows, save approximately. Enough, however, are already in -sight to make a formidable array, and put all thought of conflict with -them out of the question. The miners but congratulate themselves on -their fortune in finding that secure place of retreat, which will enable -them to shun it. Grateful are they to their guide for making it known-- -and they have reason. If within their late camp instead of where they -now are, the hours of their life would be numbered--perhaps to count -only minutes. At the best they could but save bare life for a time, but -nothing to comfort or sustain it. - -All this they have come to comprehend thoroughly as they continue to -watch the movements of the Coyoteros, and see the cordon these have -drawn around them. But for some minutes there is no movement at all, -the bands after uniting having come to a halt, the files making -quarter-wheel, so as to face the Cerro--all done as by trained cavalry -on a parade-ground! And for a while they stay halted, the change of -front giving their alignment a thinner look. But at the central point -is a thicker clump, without military formation, on which Don Estevan -directs his telescope. To see half a dozen of the mounted savages face -to face with one another, earnestly, excitedly gesticulating. After a -look through it, he tenders the glass to the _gambusino_, who may better -understand what they are about. - -"El Cascabel and his sub-chiefs in consultation," pronounces the latter, -soon as sighting them. "It's plain they're puzzled by seeing wagons -where never were such before. Like as not they think we're _soldados_, -and that makes them cautious. But they'll soon know different. _Por -Dios_! they know it now. They're coming on!" - - - -CHAPTER ELEVEN. - -A CAMP WITHOUT OCCUPANTS. - -The _gambusino_ has guessed everything aright, if words spoken in the -confidence of knowledge can be called guesses. True they prove, to the -spirit as the letter; for it is just that unaccustomed spectacle of -wheeled vehicles with their white canvas covers that caused the Indians -to keep their deploying line so far aloof, and bring it to a halt for -deliberation. Notwithstanding their being masters of all that desert -country, lords of the _llanos_, they themselves do not always traverse -it without difficulties to encounter and dangers to dread. The wagons -proclaim the camp occupied by white men; and knowing these to be -ordinary travellers, miners on the move, or _commerciantes_ on a trading -expedition to the frontier towns, the Coyoteros would little regard -them--certainly not enough to have made that long _detour_ with so much -delay in approaching them. But it may be a _military_ encampment; and -if so, will need to be dealt with differently--hence their unwonted -caution. - -Soon as the two bands became conjoined, El Cascabel had summoned his -sub-chiefs around him, to take their opinions upon this point. For -among Indians the head chief is not armed with despotic authority, but -must submit his intended course of action to the approval of his -following, even when on the _maraud_. And as the _gambusino_ rightly -conjectured, this it was which occupied them at that temporary halt. - -A question without difficulty, and soon decided. In the negative as -regarded the camp being occupied by soldiers. Were it so, men in -uniform would be observable around it; whereas none such are seen. Nor -human form of any kind; only animals--horses, and mules, with horned -cattle commingled--all careering madly about as if masterless, or -escaped from their masters' control. - -This might seem an odd circumstance, yet it does not to the savages. -From experience they know that all animals belonging to the palefaces -become affrighted at their own proximity--often to break from their -fastenings, however secure. Such a scare is likely what they see now. - -All the more does it assure them they will not have to deal with -_soldados_. These would have their horses under better discipline, -would indeed by this time be on their backs, at least some of them. - -Satisfied of its being a camp of civilians, at a signal sent along their -line the red horsemen make a move forward, their files becoming thicker -as the cordon contracts into nearer and narrower curve. Still they -advance slowly, not through fear or want of confidence, but because they -feel sure their enfiladement is complete, and their victims enclosed. -But another idea rules their cautious approach. A splendid prize is -before them in that large _ca Callada_, and to ride hurriedly in might -lead to the loose animals breaking through their ranks, and scattering -off over the plain, with after difficulty of capturing them. For just -then they might have enough to do with their owners. Besides, there can -be no surprise. The occupants of the camp, whoever they be, must have -seen them long since, and are watching them now, though not one of -themselves can be seen. Nothing so strange in this; they are inside the -wagon enclosure, screened by the ridge of _alparejas_ that form a sort -of breastwork around it. And the ruck of frightened animals rushing to -and fro between further prevents view of them. The more reason for -deliberate approach, this attitude of the white men telling of an -intention to stand upon the defence. - -Becoming convinced of this, the Indians give up thought of immediate -attack. They will wait for the night's darkness to give them a better -opportunity; and when at such a distance as they deem beyond longest gun -range, they again come to a halt. - -They would dismount, holding their horses in readiness; and some are -already on the ground. But before all alight, a word is sent along -their circular line, ordering them up again. Something has transpired -to give cause for a change of purpose. - -Soon they know what, seeing that the camp animals have retreated back -beyond the wagons up into an embayment of the cliff, where they stand in -a clump, cowering and still showing scare, but at rest. It is not that, -however, which has made the Coyoteros re-mount, but because their view -of the camp now being clear they still cannot see human beings in or -around it. With eyes bent in keenest quest between the corralled -wagons, through the spokes of their wheels, all along the periphery of -pack-saddles, nothing in the shape of human form or face can they make -out. Yet the sun is in their favour, and if such was there they could -not fail seeing it. Puzzled are the savages now, and for the first -time--since it is the first time for them to have such an experience. -For the moment it even mystifies them, and thoughts of the supernatural -come creeping into their minds. They know Nauchampa-tepetl to be a -place of weird repute, so figuring in many a record and legend of their -race. And now to see a camp there, a camp of the palefaces, with every -appointment appertaining, wheeled vehicles drawn up in _corral_ with a -grand tent inside--for the marquee, still standing, is conspicuous -through a break between the wagons--with all the animals that should be -there, and yet no man, no one seeming to own or control them, that is -certainly strange, to the point of astonishment--even awe! - -And for a time it so affects the savage warriors, their chief not -excepted. But only for a time. Notwithstanding his ghostly -coat-of-arms, El Cascabel is but little the slave of superstition; and, -after a moment's reflection, feels satisfied there are palefaces in the -camp, though invisible to the view of him and his. In that, as the -reader knows, he is wrong; but right in the way he takes to test it. - -It may seem the veriest _grotesquerie_ here to introduce that venerated -weapon, known as the "Queen Anne musket," yet the truthfulness of this -record requires its introduction. - -For strange as it may appear, this historical piece, with all its -imperfections, has found its way to every corner of the world; even into -the hands of the Apache Indians. How they became possessed of it needs -but a word of explanation, which is, that they had it--took it--from -their hereditary enemies, the Mexicans--from the _infanterio_ of that -nation, armed with the old condemned "Queen Anne's" of London Tower -celebrity. - -Leaving this necessary digression, and returning to the Coyoteros--more -especially to their chief, we hear him call out to those of his -followers who carry the ancient firelock, giving them orders to advance -some paces and send shots into the white man's camp. - -Dismounting, they do so, aiming at the wagons and tent inside, so -correctly that their big bullets, an ounce in weight, are seen to hit -the mark. But without effect following, any more than if their shots -were meant for the _facade_ of cliff beyond, whose rocks echo back the -reports of the antiquated pieces, as if in hilarious mockery. - - - -CHAPTER TWELVE. - -THE CHASE OF CRUSADER. - -By El Cascabel's orders, repeatedly are the big muskets re-loaded and -fired into the _corral_, till every wagon has had a bullet through it, -and the tent is pierced in several places. But all with the same -effect, the shots eliciting no other response than their own echoes. -Now the Indians know for sure that the camp is unoccupied; and, but for -their foreknowledge of the topography of the place, would be mystified -indeed. But most of them have themselves been on the summit of -Nauchampa-tepetl, and their eyes turn interrogatively towards it. -Thither the white men must have retreated, leaving everything below. - -They see nothing, however; not as much as a face. For Don Estevan has -directed those by the head of the gorge to keep well under cover, in -hopes of tempting the savages to an ascent in the face of his formidable -battery. - -But the Coyotero chief is too astute for that, knowing, moreover, that -there is no chance for the despised enemy to escape him. Wrathful he is -withal, at having been in a way outwitted, angry at himself for having -made the surround so slowly. It will cost him a siege, he knows not how -long, interfering with the expedition to the Horcasitas, perhaps to its -abandonment. But there is some compensation in the plunder so -unexpectedly come upon, and from what he sees it should be an ample one. -Six large wagons with a grand _tienda--litera_ also--visible, to say -nothing of the numerous animals, a travelling party so well-appointed -should also have commodities in correspondence, promising a rich prize. - -The camp is good as captured already; but instead of hastening on to -take possession, he proceeds slowly and systematically as ever; for -nothing can be gained by speed now, and some thing may be lost--the -loose animals. They are still crowded up in the embayment between the -cliffs, but with heads aloft and ears apeak, neighing, snorting, and -restless, as if about to make a break. - -"Leave aside arms, all--guns, and spears!" commands the chief. "Get -ready the _riatas_!" - -All together drop down from their horses, those who carry spears -sticking them upright in the ground, those with firelocks laying them -along it. Any _impedimenta_ of baggage and accoutrements are also -pulled off and flung beside. Then they vault back upon their animals, -each with but his trail-rope carried in coil over the left arm, to be -used as a _lazo_. - -Thus disencumbered and equipped, they at length advance, not for the -camp, but the _caballada_; but ere they can close up the mouth of the -cove the white men's animals become more affrighted than ever, and make -the burst they had been threatening--horses, mules, and oxen all -together. With a noise of thunder, the ground echoes the tread of their -hundreds of hooves, as in frenzied madness they rush out for the open -plain. Little chance would there be of their reaching it but that the -Indian horses catch the stampede, too, many of them becoming -unmanageable. The enfilading line is broken, and through its riven -ranks the camp animals sweep as a hurricane. One is in the lead--a -large horse, coal-black, on whom many an Indian had set eye, with _lazo_ -ready for his capture. Crusader it is, his neigh heard above all -others, as, with head on high, mane tossed, and tail streaming afar, he -dashes at the severed line; again uttered, as it were exultingly, when, -having cleared it, he sees no enemy before him. Half a dozen nooses are -flung at and after him, all ill-directed; all fall short, and slide from -his glistening flanks, while as many disappointed cries follow him in -chorus. - -All is scamper and confusion now; the surround has failed, the stampede -taken place, and the stampeded animals, such as succeeded in getting -off--for not all went clear--can only be captured after a chase. But -the Indian horses quickly get over their scare, and are laid on the -pursuit till a stream of them stretches out on the _llano_. Fresher and -in better condition than the camp animals, these are soon overtaken and -noosed, now one, now another, till at length only a single horse is seen -beyond the pursuing line. - -Followed still, but so far beyond it, at each bound widening the -distance, that a pair of eyes watching the chase, at first -apprehensively, now sparkle with delight. For they are the eyes of his -own master, Henry Tresillian, standing on the _mesa's_ summit behind a -screening tree. - -Half a score of the savages still continue the pursuit, among them their -chief himself. For he would give much to be the owner of that matchless -steed, and now strains his own to the utmost. All in vain. Crusader -forges farther and farther away, till he is but a speck upon the plain. -Then the baffled pursuers, one after another, give up discouraged, at -length El Cascabel also coming to a stop, and turning to ride back with -an air of angry disappointment. - -The English youth, yielding to a thrill of proud exultation, waves his -cap in the air, giving utterance to a triumphant "Hurrah!" - -"I'm so glad he's got away from them," he says, to Vicente, by his side; -"wherever he may go or whatever become of him. My noble Crusader! But -wasn't it clever? Wasn't it grand?" - -"Wonderful!" responds the _gambusino_, alike moved to admiration. "I -never saw horse behave so in all my born life. _Santissima_! he must be -a witch, if not the _demonio_ himself." - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -The Indians, leading back the captured animals, and recovering their -arms, no longer delay entering the camp. Which, to their chagrin, they -find not only abandoned, but wellnigh despoiled, as if other plunderers -had been there before them! That much has been carried off, and of -course of the most valuable kind, is evinced by boxes broken open, bales -unroped and the contents extracted, with here and there empty spaces in -the wagons, where evidently something had been stored. There is little -left for them save the refuse, or effects of a nature to be of no use to -them. What care they for mining tools and machinery? - -More than ever are they angry and regretful of their ill-judged delay; -but vow deadlier vengeance, when the time comes for it. - -Still that may not be soon. The very fashion of retreat shows it to -have been made with deliberation, and that the white men intend standing -a siege, with the hopes and the wherewithal to hold out ever so long. -And they, the Indians, knowing the danger of breasting that steep in the -face of resolute defenders, have no thought of attempting it. But the -goods that have been carried up must remain there, and sooner or later -fall into their hands. - -So consoling themselves, the new occupants of the camp settle down to -the siege, after having secured their animals--both their own and those -they have just come into possession of. All are put out to grass, -"hoppled" or tethered on trail-ropes. Then the fires, found -smouldering, are replenished with fresh fuel, and blaze up brightly as -ever, with spits and roasting joints all round them. - -This day the Coyoteros dine on beef, instead of their customary diet of -_mezcal_ and baked horseflesh. And a plenteous repast they make. Not -for a long time have they had such an opportunity of gormandising. In -their desert land of Apacheria provisions are scarce--often to -starvation-point; and they now feast gluttonously, as if to make up for -many a fast. - -Nor are they without drinkables, though none brought they along with -them. In a corner of one of the wagons is a cask--which on being tapped -is found to be filled with _chingarita_--a fiery spirit distilled from -the very plant, chief staple of their food--the _mezcal_. The Coyoteros -know it well, and though they do not themselves distil, they drink it, -and are so fond of it as to wonder why the cask is there, and not also -carried up the mountain! - -Drawn out, and rolled to the middle of the _corral_, they dance in -delight around it, repeatedly quaffing from their calabash cups, with -such an accompaniment of noises that the camp, lately occupied by men -and women, might seem to have come into the possession of devils. - -And so on till night. Then demon-like indeed are the forms seen -flitting around its fires, and as much the faces, lit up by the red -glare from blazing fagots of _mezquite_ and _pinon_--both resinous -trees. Still more the discordant sounds, a chorus of cries and -ejaculations, in mad wild yelling, as of Bedlam broke loose. - - - -CHAPTER THIRTEEN. - -A RETRIBUTIVE SHOT. - -It is midnight, and darkness over mountain and plain; pitch darkness, -although there is a moon in the sky. But she is not visible, obscured -by a bank of thick cumulus clouds, that have rolled up from the -Californian Gulf--portent of an approaching rain-storm. - -The savages have gone to rest; or, at all events, brought their noisy -revelry to an end, and silence reigns everywhere around, save now and -then a snort from a miner's horse, or mule, with a stamp of hoof, uneasy -in their new companionship; the half howl, half bark of prowling coyote, -and the wailing of chuck-will's widow--the nightjar of Sonora--hawking -for insects high over the lake. But no sound of human voice is heard, -nor through the inky blackness can be seen form of man. - -Yet not all are asleep, either above or below. On the plain is a line -of sentries, set at distances apart on the outer edge of the triangular -space where the path goes up; and inside this, by the bottom of the -gorge itself, two other men, though not on sentinel duty. - -All Indians, of course; one of the pair by themselves being El Cascabel, -the other a sub-chief, his second in command. They are there on -reconnoitring purposes, to discover whether it be possible for the -besiegers to make the ascent on a dark night unseen, and so take the -besieged by surprise. - -Since settling down in camp the Rattlesnake has reflected, and a thought -is now in his mind making him uneasy. Not regret for having to forego -his raid on the settlements of the Horcasitas. Unlikely that the siege -would take up any more time, and the booty alone should be ample -compensation. For he has made study of the abandoned camp, found every -indication of wealth, and feels sure it late held rich treasures. They -would reward him for the time lost in beleaguering. And as to the -revenge, a whole company of miners--nigh a hundred at least--with their -wives and daughters, grand senoras among them too--death to the men, and -captivity to the women--that should satisfy the keenest vengeance. - -And perhaps it would his, were he sure of accomplishing it. He was -before the sun went down, but is not now. For, since, he has thought of -that which had not then occurred to him or to any of his following. -Might not the miners have sent off a courier back to their own country, -with a demand for help? If so, it would surely come; in strength -sufficient, and soon enough to raise the siege. For the head men of the -besieging force now know it will be a prolonged one. The fragments of -provisions found in the wagons tell of a good store taken out of them -and up. Game is there in abundance to supplement it, and water -never-failing--a fortress in every way supplied. Not so strange, then, -the Coyotero chief being nervous at the thought of a courier having been -dispatched. For one might, without having been seen by him or his. A -long distance it was from where they themselves must have been first -sighted by those on the mountain. - -But for the obscurity, there are those on it who would see himself and -his second now. By the head of the gorge above a party of miners keep -guard. They have just come on duty, the relief after a spell of sleep. -For Don Estevan, by old experience, knowing there was no clanger of -Indian attack in the earlier hours, had entrusted the guard-keeping of -these to the more common men. Between midnight and morning is the time -to "'ware redskin," and the guard of this period, now commenced, has -been confided to a picked party, two of those composing it being Pedro -Vicente and his _fidus achates_, Henry Tresillian. - -Guard it can scarce be called, being only a small vidette-picket. For -there is little fear--scarce a thought--that the Indians will attempt -the ascent, at least not so soon, or without gravely reflecting upon it. - -"Perhaps never at all," says the _gambusino_, in confabulation with his -fellow-watchers. "And why should they? They must be well aware of the -chances against them. Besides, having got us as fish in a net, they're -not likely to leap into the water themselves, where they know there are -_tiburones_ (sharks)." - -Vicente has had a spell at pearl-diving in the Gulf, hence his simile -drawn from the sea. - -"Ay, _tintoreros_--these," he adds, specifying the most dreaded of the -squaline tribe, with hand caressingly rested on one of the large stones -alongside which he is lying. "I only wish they would try it, the -Rattlesnake leading. 'Twould give me just the opportunity I want to pay -that artist off for the bit of bad engraving--he did on my breast--by -hurling one of these beauties at his head. _Malraya_! I may never have -the chance to settle that score--not likely now." - -The final words, uttered in a tone of angry disappointed vengeance, are -followed by an interval of silence. For the new videttes, having just -entered on their duty, deem it wise, before aught else, to make -themselves acquainted with how matters are below. They are all in -recumbent attitude, _ventre a terre_, behind the parapet of loose -stones. For having witnessed that long-range practice with the "Queen -Annes," it occurs to them that a big bullet may at any moment come -whizzing up the gorge, and just as well be out of its way. So elevating -but their eyes over, they look cautiously down. To see nothing--not -even the plain, nor yet the lake; to hear nothing which proceeds from -human kind; but they know the savages are on the alert, with sentries -aligned below, and for a time continue to listen. - -At length, satisfied there is nothing which calls for their vigilance -being kept on the strain, Vicente draws out his _cajoncito_ of corn-husk -_cigarittos_, lights one, and sets to smoking. His comrades of the -watch do likewise; and the English youth, long since initiated into the -ways of the country, smokes too, only his weed is a Havannah. - -Not many minutes are they thus occupied when the _gambusino_, chancing -to turn his eyes south-westward, sees what makes him spit the -_cigaritto_ from his mouth, and gaze intently. The object is up in the -sky; a slight rift just opened in the bank of cloud, edged -yellowish-white. The moon must be near it--_is_ near it, and now in it! -for while they are still regarding the blue spot, she shoots suddenly -out from the black, as arrow from bow. - -Instantly night's darkness is turned into light as of day; every object -on the _llano_, even the smallest, made visible for miles upon miles, up -to the horizon's verge. But their eyes go not so far, least of all -those of Pedro Vicente, who at the first flash from the unveiled moon -catches sight of that which arrests his straying glances, fixing them -fast. Not the line of sentries, though he sees them too; but a pair of -figures inside and closer, up nigh the point where the path steps upon -the plain. One of them, recognised, rivets his gaze by a token of -identification unmistakable--a death's head in white chalk, which, with -the moon full upon it, gleams conspicuous against a background of -bronze. - -"_Carria_! El Cascabel!" he mechanically mutters, in tone of -exultation; and without saying another word, or waiting another second, -brings his rifle to shoulder, the stock to his cheek, with muzzle deep -depressed. - -A blaze--a crack--and the bullet is sped. A cry of agony from below-- -another of anger in voice different--proclaims its course true, and that -the mark aimed at has been hit. - -He who fired the shot knows that, by sight as well as sound. For he -sees--all see--a man reeling, staggering, about to fall, and another -with arms outstretched, as if partly in surprise, partly with intent to -support him. - -Only for an instant is the spectacle under their eyes. For suddenly as -she showed herself, the moon disappears with a plunge into the opaque -clouds, leaving all dark as before. - - - -CHAPTER FOURTEEN. - -THE "DEATH FANDANGO." - -"You think you've killed him?" - -It is Don Estevan who interrogates, startled out of his slumber by the -report of the _gambusino's_ gun, which has brought him in hurried haste -to the post of guard. - -"Pretty sure of it, your worship," is the rejoinder, in calm confidence. - -"We all saw him staggering--he must have gone down," says another of the -videttes, confirmingly. - -"If I haven't settled his hash," pursues Vicente, "then a man may get a -bullet through midribs, and live afterwards--a thing not likely. Or I'm -much mistaken, mine went straight centreways into the white--that sweet -thing I've such reason to remember--unluckily for him painted too -conspicuously." - -"It must have been El Cascabel, if you saw that." - -"He it was, or I shouldn't have been so quick on the trigger. Indeed, I -wasn't so confident about the carry of my piece. 'Twas a long shot." - -"The bullet may have hit without killing him--spent, and only stunned -him?" - -"If your worship feels inclined for a bet, I'll lay big odds that ere -this the Rattlesnake has kicked his last kick, or, to put it more -appropriately, wriggled his last wriggle." - -The auditory gathered around the _gambusino_ would laugh at his quaint -words, but ere they give way to the inclination it is checked by other -words quick following in exclamatory tones, - -"Bet's off, your worship--too late! I'm not the man to dishonour myself -by wagering on a certainty. _Oigate_! you hear that?" - -Don Estevan does hear, as the others, sounds ascending from below--human -voices, in that melancholy cadence which tells of lamentation for the -dead. They come from the direction of the camp, in a wild crooning -wail, now and then a stave, as if coyotes were taking part in the -lugubrious chorus. At intervals, also, there are other notes, -differently intoned; loud angry ejaculations, the Apache war-cry, -proclaiming vengeance only to be satisfied with blood for blood. - -For nearly an hour the infernal _fracas_ is kept up, the volume of voice -continuous, and redoubled by reverberation along the cliffs. Then it is -abruptly brought to a close, succeeded by a silence mysterious and -ominous in itself. Can it be that in their insane anger the savages -have resolved upon the ascent, _coute-qui-coute_? The darkness, dense -as ever, would favour, and might tempt them. - -There is enough probability in it to make the videttes more vigilant, -and their numbers are now greater. After an event of such serious -consequence, most of the people--women and children excepted--are up and -active, moving backwards and forwards between their place of bivouac by -the spring and the ravine's head, all careful not to approach this point -too near. The big muskets admonish them; though as yet no shot from -one, nor from any other sort of piece, has been fired by the savages. -If they mean assault, it will be by stealth, and in silence. - -Hushed, and listening with all ears, the watchers hear nothing; at -least, no sound of a suspicious nature. But Indians can creep, or -climb, noiselessly as cats--the Coyoteros especially--in this respect -equalling the animal from which they have their name. And they may be -worming their way up for all, snake-like among the stems of the -_mesquites_ and cactus plants. - -"Speaking for myself," says the _gambusino_, after a time, "I haven't -much fear of them trying that trick. But if you think it worth while, -_camarados_, to give them a hint--and perhaps it may be as well--we can -spare a few of these pebbles." He points to the collected stones. -"Half a dozen or so will do it." - -His _camarades_ comprehend his meaning; and as Don Estevan has returned -to his tent leaving him in command of the picket, they signify their -approval of his design, all desiring it. - -On the instant after, a rock pushed over the edge goes crashing down, -breaking off branches, loosening other stones in its way, all in loud -rumbling borne together to the level below. But they elicit no -response, save the echo of their own noise, no shriek or cry, as if man -were caught and bruised by them. - -After a time another is launched, with like result, then another and -another at measured intervals--for they must husband their ammunition-- -the watchers all the while without fear that man, red or white, will -face such an avalanche, dangerous as any that ever swept down the slope -of Alps. - -At the earliest dawn they desist as soon as they can trust to their -eyes. And now, scanning the plain below, they see at the bottom of the -gorge only the rocks they had rolled down, with the other _debris_. -Farther out they perceive the line of dusky sentinels, just as they -expected it to be; but no other human form, living or dead. The -Coyotero chief is dead for all that--carried to the camp of the -palefaces, inside the great tent, where he now lies face upward; the -pale, crepusculous light stealing in to show that hideous device on his -breast, symbol of death itself, no longer a disc of white, but flaked -and mottled red, with a darker spot of ragged edging in the centre where -it was pierced by the _gambusino's_ bullet. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -Just as the sun begins to show above the horizon's edge, again go up the -crooning cries, but now in more measured strain. For the savages are -collected in the _corral_, a choice party of them under direction of -their medicine man ranged about the marquee, not standing still, but -circling round and round it in a slow, saltatory step--in short, dancing -the "death-dance." - -It is accompanied by chants and incantations, in the voice of the -medicine chief himself, pitched louder than the rest, with a pause at -intervals, to speak eulogies of the deceased, praise of his valour and -virtues, ending in a passionate appeal to his followers to avenge his -death. They need not the stimulus of such exhortation. In the eyes of -all vengeance is already glowing, burning, and but flashes a little -angrier as they respond in a vociferous and united yell. - -They upon the _mesa_ are not witnesses to this odd ceremony, only a -portion of the camp being within their view. But ere long they have -another under their eyes--a spectacle equally exciting, and of like -grave portent to themselves. - -It takes place out on the open plain by the lake's edge, upon a portion -of the grass ground, all visible from the ravine's head. The arena is -purposely chosen for the palefaces to be spectators of it, that it may -strike terror to their souls, by giving them a foretaste of what is to -be their fate. For it is the "_Fandango de crancos_," _anglice_, -scalp-dance. - -What they on the mountain first see is some half-score of the savages -issuing forth from the _corral_ and taking their way to the appointed -spot. They bear with them a long pole painted blood-red, recognisable -as one of the wagon-tongues, drawn to a sharp point at its inner end. -In a trice it is stuck upright in the turf, showing at its top something -very different from the chains late there. It is the skin of a human -head, with the hair hanging straggled down, light-coloured hair -proclaiming it that of a paleface. They could crown that pole with -scores of such scalps, many having their leggings fringed with them. -But for the rites of the ceremony to be performed one is deemed -sufficient; and to make it more terribly impressive, the one selected -shows by the silken gloss of the hair with its luxuriance and length to -have been taken from the head of a woman! There are women looking at it -now, and young girls of different ages. For all have left the spring -and come forward to the viewing-point. It is a sight to inspire them -with awe enough of itself, without their being told of a certain and -terrible signification attached to the fact of a _woman's_ scalp being -fixed to the head of that pole instead of a _man's_. Pedro Vicente -could make it known to them, but does not. - -Ere long the ceremonial of vengeful menace commences, the Indians -approaching the ensanguined stake and forming in wide cordon around it; -all of them in full war-paint, a fresh coat of it in their garish -devices of various colours, scarlet and blood-red predominating. But -there is one common to all, a symbol in white--the same borne by him who -is sleeping his last sleep in the _corral_. They have but assumed it -for the occasion to do honour to their dead chief. And a frightful form -of demonstration it is. Over two hundred men, mahogany-coloured -savages, all naked to the waist, each with a death's head and crossbones -done in white gypsum on the central and prominent portion of his breast! -'Twere enough to awe the heart of any one within their reach or in -their power, and many of the spectators above tremble at beholding the -horrid insignia. - -The dance begins, the savages in circle tramping round and round the -pole "how-howing" as they go, at first in slow step and with voice -barely audible. Soon, however, the one quickens, the other becoming -louder, till the step is a violent bounding, the voice raised to highest -pitch. Louder and angrier grow the shouts as they turn their eyes -upward to the scalp, and still more violent their gesticulations, arms -in air with weapons whirled above their heads, till at length several -rush at the reddened stake, and hack it down with their tomahawks. Then -follows a confused struggle for the scalp, in which it is torn to -pieces, all who can appropriating shred or tress, but to spit upon it in -vindictive scorn, while still further rending it! - -The demoniac dance is now over; some it has most excited come rushing -towards the ravine, as though they really meant risking an assault. All -above draw back out of sight, only they appointed for the defence -staying by the stone artillery. But they are not called upon to hurl -any more down just yet. Warned by the event of overnight, the savages -think better of it, and before getting too close, come to a stop, and -content themselves with wordy threats and a brandishing of weapons. - -But, empty and impotent as is their menacing attitude, it makes deep -impression on those against whom it is directed. For it tells them they -may never more go down that gorge, or set foot upon the plain below, to -live an hour, if a minute, after. - - - -CHAPTER FIFTEEN. - -NOT LOST YET. - -In the great desert land of Apacheria there are Coyoteros and Coyoteros; -some, abject miserable creatures among the lowest forms of humanity; -others, men of fine port, courage, and strength--true Indian warriors. -Of these is the band of El Cascabel, noted for its frequent hostile -expeditions to the settlements of Sonora, as that on which it was bent -when brought up by the Lost Mountain. So unexpectedly deprived of its -chief, will it continue on that expedition? or lay siege to the party of -travelling miners as he intended doing? A question asked the miners -themselves of one another, but not after witnessing the scalp-dance. -Then knew they for sure that the siege was to be carried out. As -further evidence of it, that very afternoon the mules and horses of the -caravan are collected into droves, tied head to tail, and conducted away -from the ground altogether by a number of Indians placed in charge of -them--evidently that there should not be too many mouths on the pastures -around the camp, which, though good, are but of limited extent. Only -some of the inferior animals, with the beeves, are allowed to remain as -provision for the besiegers. - -The miners above have meanwhile been busy getting matters regulated in -their new camp, or bivouac, soon as convinced that the enemy did not -intend assault. All repair thither, only a limited number of videttes -keeping post by the gorge. Around the _ojo de agua_ is witnessed a -scene of curious interest. To the two tents set up on the day before -are being added sheds and arbour-like huts, with such haste that ere -night all are completed, for the cloud of the night before, portending -rain, still covers the western sky, though not a drop has yet fallen. - -Just as the last of daylight glimmers over the plain a very drown and -downpour, as if to make up for its long absence. The sky is all clouded -now, but with clouds at short intervals riven by forking spears of -lightning, while the accompanying thunder is almost continuous. - -Under the yellow light the lake glistens as if it was molten gold, while -the rebound upwards from the heavy drops shows something like a golden -spray hanging all over it. On beyond the out-going stream, late but a -tiny rivulet, has changed to a foaming torrent, madly breaking its way -across the plain; while the in-going rill from the _messas_ summit has -become a series of cascades and cataracts. - -The Indians, fearing a stampede by their horses, draw them in from their -picket-pins, hobble, and make them fast round the wheels of the wagons, -but they are still more solicitous about the fine _caballada_ captured -and sent away; for nearly every one of these, with all the mules, has a -pack saddle on its back with the distributed dry goods, and other -desirable articles not taken up the _messa_. In short, if that pack -drove be lost, they may not have much to reward them for the season's -raid. They might have sent the wagons along, but aware of the use to -which these are often put by the palefaces, as sleeping-tents, are -noting the approach of the storm, and determine to utilise them in -similar fashion. That night at least they would need them, and it might -be many more. - -So, as the rain falls, lightning flashes, and thunder rolls, there is a -close-packed crowd under the tilt of each, with the big tent full to its -entrance-flap; and still there is not space enough to shield all from -that torrent of the sky, a large number retreating under ledges of the -cliffs that overhang near by. - -The miners are all under shelter; they, too, sure of the approaching -storm, having worked hard during the later hours of the day. The -_messa_ gave them material for wall and roof. Posts from the indigenous -trees with scantling poles cut from saplings of many kinds, and a thatch -of _cycas_ and other grasslike plants, which abounded on the summit. -Men accustomed as they to handling ropes and gearing, were not long in -running up a house sufficient for shelter, and now every such domicile -is filled to its door-jambs; men, women, and children mingled together, -some standing, some seated on the bundles of goods that, but for their -being inside, would have been lost. They had thought of that too. - -Up to a certain hour the people of quality are all inside one tent, -which shows bright from a light burning inside it: their conversation -is, of course, about the circumstances which surround them. Who, then, -could talk of any other? Don Estevan believes that the killing of the -Rattlesnake may be a disadvantage to them rather than otherwise, making -the vengeance of his followers more implacable than at least it should -do. But he has yet another reason for so believing. In his own -military expeditions he had become acquainted with El Cascabel's second -in command, a sub-chief, equalling the others in hostility to the -whites, while far excelling him in ability. - -But it is too soon yet to discuss such chances. Rest was the one thing -needed; and at the usual hour for retiring, all, save those detailed for -picket-guard, seek repose. - -Just as on the previous night the less experienced stand the first -watches of the night, keeping the rain off with waterproof _serapes_; -only at intervals need they look down, and then, unlike as on the night -before, everything is seen as under a meridian sun, for it is while the -lightning gleams they make their intermittent examination of the gorge -path, cascading stream, trees, and rocks illuminated by it as by a -thousand torches; only towards morning do their blazes become less -frequent, gradually dying out as the rain ceases to fall. Henry -Tresillian is again on watch duty, having insisted upon it, -notwithstanding the opposition made by the others of his party. But he -has a reason they do not understand--indeed, he has not communicated it -to them; during the earlier hours of the night he fancied having -observed a dark object far off on the plain, seemingly in the shape of a -horse; but returning several times to look, afterwards he could not see -it again. Now, on the post midnight watch, at each blaze he runs his -eye around the spot where he fancied the dark object to have been, only -in the very last one to see it again, and make sure it was a horse; but -his ears tell him more than his eyes, for in the dark spell succeeding -the silence of the elements restored he several times hears a neigh, -which he recognises as that of his own horse, Crusader. - -And when the day at length dawns he sees the noble animal itself only a -short distance beyond the lower end of the lake, with head upraised and -muzzle pointed up the gorge, as though in a morning salute to himself, - - - -CHAPTER SIXTEEN. - -AN UNLOOKED-FOR ENEMY. - -A thrill of delight sweeps through the heart of the English youth at -beholding Crusader in this attitude, as if the horse said, "You see, -I've not forsaken you." Satisfaction also to think the animal capable -of making its own way, and finding sustenance in those wilds; for should -it ever be their fate to escape from that mountain, there might be a -hope of horse and master coming together again. But there is fear -commingled with these feelings, this causing the eyes of Henry -Tresillian to turn with quick glance towards the left, where a small -portion of the camp of the Indians is visible outside the flanking -battlements of rock; every moment he expects to see issue from it a band -of dusky horsemen in start for a new pursuit of his favourite. - -Crusader seems to have some anticipation of the same; he stands -restlessly, now glancing up the chine, anon at the corralled wagons with -hundreds of horses around them. These he regards suspiciously, being -the same with which he had already declined to associate; perhaps he may -be wondering where are the other horses, his companions of the caravan? -Whether or no, he hesitates to approach nearer to the old -camping-ground, steadfastly keeping his place. Where he stands he is so -nigh his former master that the latter might without any difficulty make -himself heard, and at first the English youth had it on the tip of his -tongue to call out a friendly greeting, but quick reflection showed him -its imprudence. The very worst thing he could do for the horse's sake. -Crusader would be sure to recognise his voice and respond with a neigh, -which would awake a chorus of yells in the Coyoteros' camp, and at once -set the savages on the alert. - -For the last half-hour or more the black horse had been quiet, and there -were several reasons against his being seen. He was upon the opposite, -or western edge of the stream, which had a fringing of reeds and bushes, -broken in places, but here and there continuous for yards, and behind -one of these clumps he had come to a stand; even in bright day, as it -now nearly is, he would there be invisible to the occupants of the -captured camp. - -But if only to water their horses, the Indians will soon be dashing down -to the lake, and then all chance of his remaining longer unobserved will -be at an end. - -With gaze more riveted on the horse than ever, for there is something -strange in his behaviour, Henry Tresillian watches him with wondering -eyes, his heart audibly pulsating. What if they should again get him in -a ring, and this time display more adroitness in hurling their -laryettes? Crusader might not be so clever on every occasion. - -While thus speculating on the result, a noise reaches the ears of the -English youth, as also of others on vidette post, which causes an -instant and sudden turning of their eyes in the opposite direction. -Many voices, indeed, all loud and all in excited tone. Voices of men, -shrieks of women, and cries of terrified children, all coming from one -place, their new camp by the spring. - -The videttes stay not on their post an instant longer, but forsaking it, -rush towards _ojo de agua_. Sounds inexplicable, mysterious! What can -be causing them? The only suggestion attempted is, that the Indians -after all may have contrived to ascend the _messa_ by some secret path -known only to themselves, and are in the act of attacking from the rear. -What other enemy could cause such a scare? Every voice in the miners' -party is seemingly convulsed with affright. - -The young Englishman dashes on ahead, tearing through branches, and -bounding over trunks of prostrate trees. Vicente, who had brought the -watch with him, is close behind, though he has not such stimulus to -haste, for amidst the _fracas_ of noises, Henry Tresillian hears a sweet -voice calling out his own name in a tone of appeal. - -Not till they come to the very edge of the glade do they discover the -cause of all these wild demonstrations, though something seen an instant -or two earlier leads Vicente to conjecture it. Men, but chiefly boys -and girls, standing on the branches of trees high as they can climb, as -though there to behold some passing spectacle. - -"_El orso_!--the grizzly!" - -"It must be that," says Vicente, pressing on. And so it proves. As the -videttes so mysteriously summoned in see on getting to the nearer end of -the glade which surrounds the spring, at its farther one are two -gigantic animals, one a quadruped, the other to all appearances a biped. -For all, both are four-footed creatures, and the most dangerous to be -encountered in all the desert lands of America. So utterly are they -regardless of the odds against them that they would advance to the -attack of horse or man, even were there twenty of these together, and -have been known to come shuffling into a well-appointed camp, and make a -grand havoc, ere means may be taken to destroy or eject them. - -The Indian tiger or the African lion are not more to be dreaded in their -jungles than is the _ursus ferox_ in the districts it specially affects. - -Strange that the pair at the inner end of the glade had not yet shown -signs of any determination to assail the camp; indeed, they seem to be -amusing themselves at the stir their presence has created, or rather as -if making amusement for the surprised people. He, upon his hams, for it -is the male who has so erected himself, is playing his fore-paws about, -as if engaged in an act of prestidigitation; while his mate, at -intervals also rearing up, seems to be playing the part of juggler's -assistant, the whole spectacle being comical in the extreme. The -tragical part of it had not yet commenced, and for two reasons. - -First, that the grizzly bear seldom makes instant attack, appearing to -enter on the field of battle more by accident than from any -predetermined hostile resolve. Only after shammering about a while, and -at intervals uttering a snort till their passions get the better of -them, and then woe to man or horse that comes within the hug of their -powerful fore-paws! With its enormous curving claws, many inches in -length, a grizzly bear has been known to drag the largest ox or horse to -the ground, as a terrier would a rabbit. - -Henry Tresillian looks only to the two canvas tents to see the senora -inside one, her face visible through the opening, while Gertrude is -still without by the side of her own father and his. The young girl -appears behaving herself more bravely than any of the older people -around. She is inspired with fresh courage at the sight of the English -youth bounding towards her, gun in hand. - -By this time others have got out their guns, and a party led by the -_mayor-domo_ is advancing to fire on the bears. The _gambusino_, -hitherto not having observed this party, now sees it, noting its -intention. He would frustrate it, and makes the attempt, shouting in -loudest voice, "For your lives, don't draw trigger upon them. They may -go without--" - -Too late; his after-words were drowned by the report of the steward's -great gun, and the male bear came down on all fours, evidently hit, but -as evidently little harmed, his active motions afterwards telling of a -wound he no more regarded than the scratch of a pin. It perhaps only -tickled him, and his biting at the place might be but to take the itch -out. It angered him, though, to the highest pitch, for again rising on -his hind legs he swung his head about, snorting continuously, with an -occasional scream which bespoke either pain or vengeance. - -There was no sign of intention to retreat on the part of either male or -female, for they seemed to act in concert and with mutual understanding, -this, in the moment after, impelling them to forsake their stationary -spot and come rushing on towards the tents and boothes. Showing motion -quick enough now, they are soon in their midst, the female instantly -after seizing a boy who in fright had fallen from one of the branches -directly in front of her, and killing the poor lad by a single stroke of -her powerful fore-paw. He is not unavenged: before she has time to seek -for a second victim the men with guns gather around her, and regardless -of danger, for their blood is now up, go so close that some of their -muzzles become buried in her long shaggy fur. Then the cracks of eight -or ten guns ring out almost simultaneously, and the she-grizzly comes to -ground. - -But the male, the more formidable of the two, is still afoot, and where -are the eight or ten guns to give him his _coup de grace_? Only four -loaded ones are seen in hand, the majority of the people who have been -able to arm themselves, in their haste, not much over a dozen, having -instinctively rushed towards the bear that was attacking the lad. But -now the other, having passed that spot, is making for one to be defended -by the four guns in question, that tent inside which are the Senora -Villanueva and her daughter. No need to say that the defenders are Don -Estevan, Robert Tresillian, his son Henry, and the _gambusino_. A -formidable defence, nevertheless, since, in addition to their guns, they -carry knives and pistols, the last double-loaded. - -They have thrown cloaks and other dark cloths over the tents to make -them less conspicuous, but the bear seems imbued by a vindictive -determination to attack in that very quarter, and straight towards them -comes he. - -"Let me fire first, senores," claims Vicente, "and low from my knee my -bullets may turn him sideways, and if so, then your chance, pour in your -broadside, aim just behind the shoulder, halfway down." - -Saying which the _gambusino_ drops on one knee, bringing his gun to his -shoulder not an instant too soon, for the huge monster is now within ten -feet of him. The sharp but full report, with a tuft of hair seen -starting off the bear's right neck well back on the shoulder, tells that -the animal has been hit there, just as Vicente had intended it, his -design being for the others to get flanking shots, which they do, one -and all, the bear instantly slewing round as before to bite the wounded -spot. This brought his left shoulder to front well spread out, and -making the best of marks, into which was simultaneously poured the -contents of four barrels with twice as many bullets, hitting so close -together as to make an ensanguined irregular disc about the size of a -man's hand. No pistols nor knives were needed, no supplementary weapons -of any kind, the bear breathing his last ere the reports of the guns had -ceased reverberating along the cliffs. - - - -CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. - -CRUSADER CHASED AGAIN. - -The scene, all action and excitement, has nevertheless occupied but a -brief space of time: scarce two minutes since the grizzly bears first -showed themselves on the edge of the glade till both lie dead within -it--victims of their own ferocity. - -It might have been very different, and under like circumstances nearly -always is. Many cases are recorded in which half a score of camp -travellers have succumbed to the insane rage of a single grizzly. -Fortunate, too, had been the miners in their shots--no doubt clue to the -short range at which they were fired--for the thick, tough skin of this -animal is almost ball-proof, and one has been known to bear off a dozen -bullets in its body, and carry them about with it afterwards. - -The very openness of their danger, with no prospect of escaping it, had -lent to the miners the courage of despair, and so made them more -fearless in their attack; otherwise they would have fired at the enemy -without approaching so near, perhaps to fail. Enough damage has been -done notwithstanding, and a cry of lamentation succeeds the shots, and -general shouting, as the women gather around the body of that single -victim to the fury of the bears. Frightfully mutilated it is, showing -parallel tears over the breast--the tracks of claws, all running blood, -and a huge gash by the throat where the first stroke had been given. - -"_Esta Pablito Rojas_!" cries a voice, identifying the lad, others -adding in sympathetic chorus, "_Pobre! pobre-ceti_!" - -There is one who takes no part in these demonstrations--Henry -Tresillian. He is in fact no longer in the camp, for soon as the second -grizzly had been disposed of, he started back for the vidette post, and -so abruptly as to make all wonder who were observing him. Among the -rest Gertrude herself, who thought it strange he should not stay to -speak some words of congratulation. He but muttered one or two, with -the name of his horse, well known to her, and was off. - -Now, from his former point of view, he again beholds Crusader standing -just as left, and still to all appearance unmolested. It is more than -he expected, but there may be reasons: possibly the shouts and fusillade -above have for a time drawn the attention of the Indians in that -direction. This will not be for long, and Crusader's master but counts -the moments till he see him assailed and chased. - -Nor are they many. Just after his return to the ravine's head he -observes nigh threescore dusky horsemen move out beyond the flanking -embattlement of rock; not hastily, nor in confusion, but in deliberate -and long deployed line, which stretches afar over the _llano_. - -Crusader sees them too, and seems to regard them with indifference; he -has taken to browsing on a piece of rich pasture lying along the -stream's edge, this alone for the time occupying him. That he is the -objective point of their movement is evident, though none of them are -heading straight towards him, their design being evidently to get around -him. - -After all, is he going to let himself be surrounded, and approached in -this easy manner? Such is the interrogatory which passes among those -watching from above, for the videttes have returned to their post, with -others accompanying them. - -One answers it, saying, "It's not at all likely. He let himself be -taken in a trap! More like the redskins will find themselves in one -before long. See! they begin to find it now!" - -This, from Pedro Vicente in his old spirit, as he points to the line of -savages far extended. - -The files have by this faced westward, but are advancing towards the -stream; now, on nearing it, they are seen to stop abruptly as if in -surprise. Then, after an instant, all wheel round and ride back -eastward, till getting on their old line, they return at a gallop -towards their camp. They have discovered the stream to be impassable. - -"That horse is the _demonio_ himself," says Pedro Vicente--"neither more -nor less. He must have known they could not cross the swollen -streamlet, or he'd never have stopped by it as he has done. But they've -not given him up yet. No! see: they're going round by the head of the -lake." - -Just this they intend, as is seen by their advancing towards the point -where the lake commences by the mouth of the ravine. They have no -difficulty in crossing its in-going stream, a few minutes after the rain -ceased having reduced this to its normal condition of a tiny rivulet. - -And like some dark, disagreeable vision Henry Tresillian sees pass -before his eyes the savage cohort, file after file, one disappearing -after another, till at length no animated form is observable on the -plain below, save that their eyes have been hitherto regarding with -interest. - -There is a long interval without event; nearly an hour elapses ere -Crusader shows any sign, his head almost continuously to the grass, -raised only occasionally, as he changes place upon it. All this time -the Indians are out of sight, with no sound coming from the direction -they had taken. - -But at length there is a sound, a startled neigh from the black horse, -who, tossing his crest in air, rears upward with a curving sweep, and -then darts straight away, as if in flight from an advancing enemy--the -enemy seen instantly afterwards as several mounted men disclose -themselves from the western framework of rock, all in a tail-on-end -gallop. - -Crusader has taken along the edge of the stream, and follows it in -parallel direction downwards, just as he fled before from the same -pursuers. There would seem no chance of their overtaking him now; for -he appears to gain distance at every bound, without even straining -himself. But lo! what is that? - -"_Santos Dios_! They've headed him. _Milraya_! what a pity!" - -It is the _gambusino_ who thus exclaims, seeing other horsemen on the -plain farther points on, all facing towards the stream, evidently to -intercept the chased steed. - -Crusader sees them too, for he is now close up to them; but forsaking -the course he has hitherto followed, he makes an abrupt turn and breaks -off westward, continuing this direction in full gallop, till the rocks -hide him from view. - -Alike the pursuers thrown round, pass out of sight one after another, -and again that part of the _llano_ resumes its wonted aspect of stern, -savage tranquillity. - -For most of those composing the party of spectators the chase had no -particular interest, and only a few of them were gathered around the -point where it could be viewed. Indeed, but a few heard of Crusader -being seen, the greater and more serious event obscuring that of lesser -note. And now these few, one after the other, again go back to _ojo de -agua_, to take part in the duties of the day. - -But the English youth still stays by the vidette post, with eye -constantly directed on the plain below, and ears listening intently, to -catch any sound that may come from the western side; apprehensively, -too, for he fears to hear shots. - -The savages failing to catch the black horse with their laryettes, may -spitefully endeavour to bring him down with their guns. This, indeed, -is the real clanger his young master has been dreading, and which for -the time engrosses all his thoughts. - -Luckily not for long. Within less than an hour the dusky horsemen, in -twos and threes, come straggling back across the open ground between the -lake's head and their camp, so continuing till the last of them have -returned, all with discomfited air, but none with Crusader as their -captive. And as no report of gun has been heard, it is more than -probable he has once more eluded them. - - - -CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. - -LIFE ON THE LOST MOUNTAIN. - -The exciting events above recorded, as occurring in quick succession, -are followed by a period of repose lasting for days. Alike reigns it on -the mountain summit and around its base; in the camp of the besieged as -of the besiegers. - -Withal, in the latter there is no lack of activity; parties go and come -at all hours, but more especially during those of the night. Scouts -sent out; it may be for many purposes. But one large detail is observed -on a certain day to make the complete round of the mountain, every here -and there halting with front towards it, as if for minute examination of -its cliffs from base to summit; evidently to be satisfied whether there -be any possible chance for the white men to reach the plain otherwise -than down that chine cut by the watercourse. - -While making this _reconnaissance_ they have been narrowly watched by -eyes from above, and as no particular point has been observed to attract -their attention, it is concluded that they deem their pale-faced -prisoners quite secure, only calling for a little patience ere they may -evidently lay hands on them. - -The same movement also gives assurance to their intended victims, but of -a kind not so satisfactory. It tells them how determined their enemy -is, how retentive his grasp, and implacable his vengeance. All this -with no increased hope on their part of being able to escape him. -Thought of how has not yet taken shape in their minds. How could it? -So many present facts and fears engrossing them, they have found little -time to reflect on the future. - -And a new fear has now arisen which calls for steps to be taken. There -may be other grizzly bears on the _mesa_, and if so these monsters will -be prowling around the camp to assail it at any instant. Better they be -met outside at a distance off, there attacked, and if possible -exterminated. - -This conclusion come to, Don Estevan gives orders for all to arm, and a -general _battue_ is made over the summit of the Cerro. Paths are hacked -through the underwood everywhere, laying open many a spot never before -trodden by foot of man. Strange birds are flushed from their nests, and -strange animals are seen stealing away through the thick tangle of -_llianas_, chiefly of the reptilian order, as armadillos, lizards, the -curious horned frog (_Agama cornuta_), and serpents--most numerous of -all that whose retreat is marked by the defiant rattle which has given -it its name. Scores of _cascabeles_ are started out of the dead leaves -and branches, their vibratory "skirr" resounding everywhere. - -But quadrupeds turn up as well. At intervals the crack of gun tells of -one shot at, whether killed or no. Now a wild sheep, now a prong-horn -antelope, or it may be but a hare or rabbit. The great wolf is also -found there, and his lesser and more cowardly congener, the coyote; but -no more bears--grizzly or other--nor sign of them. Evidently the two -killed at the camp were the sole monarchs of the mountain. - -The day's hunt, for it occupied a whole day, gives satisfaction in more -ways than one. First, by doing away with all apprehension of danger -from _Ursus ferox_; secondly, by affording a plentiful supply of present -food; and, thirdly, in there being still more on the mountain, giving -proof of the abundance of them. - -Nor is the vegetable element lacking, but present in all its varieties -of root, fruit, and berry. The _mezcal_, whose baked stem forms staple -food for their enemies, grows on the _mesa_. Its use is known to the -_gambusino_, as others of the miners. Several sorts of _mezquite_ trees -are found there, whose long pendulous _siliques_ contain seeds which can -be ground into a meal making nutritious bread, while the cones of the -edible pine (_Pinus edulis_)--"_pinon-nuts_" as called--are in quantity -all around. For fruit there are several varieties of the cactus, with -that of pear-shape, and all the rich juiciness of a pear, the famed -_pitathaya_. In short, the Cerro Perdido is a very oasis, its -cornucopia peculiar to the desert. With so bountiful a supply of -provisions the besieged need not fear famine, at least for a long time. -Their resources, carefully husbanded, may last for weeks. - -And on time rests their only hope; their sole chance of being rescued -depending on that, by some means or other, their situation may become -known to their friends at Arispe, or their countrymen elsewhere. - -But what likelihood of this? As already stated, the Lost Mountain is -out of the line of all travel and traffic. Months, a year, nay, years -may elapse ere a wayfarer of any kind stray to it, or near it. So their -chances of being seen there by friendly eyes, to say naught of their -position being understood, are as those of castaways on a desert isle in -mid-ocean. - -And as shipwrecked men they hoist signals of distress. Any one -approaching that solitary eminence from the south might wonder to see a -flag floating from a tall staff over its southern end, giving it all the -greater resemblance to a fortress with banner waving above. A tricolour -flag, bearing the symbolic badge of the Mexican Republic--the Eagle upon -the Nopal! It is that Don Estevan had meant to have erected over the -new mine, now little likely ever to be displayed there. For now it is -unfolded to tell a tale of threatening disaster, and attract the eyes of -those who may do something to avert it. - -But for this dark uncertainty of future there is nothing irksome, not -even disagreeable, in their present life. On the contrary, it might be -even called pleasant; plenty to eat, plenty to drink, sufficient freedom -of range, a sapphire sky above, with an atmosphere around them whose -heat is tempered by breezes ever blowing, ever laden with the fragrance -of fruit and flower. - -And no scene of sombre gloomy silence; instead, one enlivened by the -notes of many wild warblers, both diurnal and nocturnal. By day the -jarring yet cheering cry of the blue jay and the red cardinal; the -mewing of the catbird, or the "hew-hew" of hawk in pursuit of his -victim. By night, the more melodious, all incomparable song of the -_czentzontle_--mockingbird of Mexico--oft intermingled with another -song, but little less powerful or sweet, that of the _cuitlacoche_--a -second species of New World nightingale, not so well known. - -Life in the odd aerial camp now settles down into a sort of routine, -each day having its separate calls and duties. The watch is, of course, -kept up, and with no falling off in its vigilance. For although the -besiegers have not again shown any sign of an intention to try the -assault, who knows what may be in the mind of these subtle savages? - -Only at night need there be any fear, and only when it is darkest. At -other times the vidette duty is a matter of easy fulfilment. - -In truth the miners might almost fancy themselves in picnic, having a -happy time of it, halfway between earth and heaven. But they are not -there by choice, too well knowing its stern necessity. And this, with -the dark doubtful future, robs them of all zest for enjoyment. So the -hours pass not merrily, but wearily. - - - -CHAPTER NINETEEN. - -WHO TO BE THE FORLORN HOPE? - -Day succeeds day with no brightening of hopes to those beleaguered on -the Lost Mountain. Instead, in each something arises to make their -prospects darker, if that were possible. - -About ten days after the commencement of the siege the besiegers have -their force increased, a fresh party coming down from the north, -evidently in obedience to a summons, which they who drove off the -captured _caballada_ have carried back. But for what purpose this -accession of strength, when it is not needed? They on the ground are -already enough, and to spare. - -The miners cannot guess what they have come about, unless it be the -remaining braves of the tribe, to take part in some ceremony over their -fallen chief, or be present when the time arrives for the wreaking of -vengeance. - -It has nothing to do with that, however, solely a conception of their -new leader, El Zopilote, who has his reasons for carrying out the raid -down the Horcasitas. So on the second day after, the besieging party, -instead of being one hundred men the more, is all that the less; at -least two hundred seen to issue forth from the camp, and proceed -southward in full war-paint and panoply, with all their frightful -insignia. As successive files they move off along the stream's edge, it -might seem as some gigantic serpent commencing its crawl towards prey. -And many on the mountain, with a suspicion of where they are going, have -a pitying heart for those who live on the banks of the lower Horcasitas. - -Enough, however, to think of themselves, and each hour more than enough; -for as the days pass circumstances present a still sterner front. The -supply of provisions, at first seeming inexhaustible, proves to have a -limit. There are over seventy mouths to feed, which calls for a large -daily quantity. So one by one the wild quadrupeds give out, the birds -long before these, frightened by the constant chase and fusillade, -forsaking the place altogether. The store of _tasajo_ and other -preserved meats begins to be drawn upon. When these come to an end, so -too must all the suspense, all the agonies of that quaint, quasi -imprisonment, to terminate in real captivity, or indeed death itself. - -In the tent of Don Estevan some seven or eight of the mining people are -assembled; the two _duenos_ are of course present, with the -_mayor-domo_, the chief engineer, and other heads of departments. No -need to say the _gambusino_ is among them. They are there to take -counsel on the events of the day, and the means of the morrow. Every -night it has been their custom to do so, and on this one--for it is at -night--there is nothing very different to speak of from any other. - -Still, Don Estevan has conceived a thought which had not hitherto -occurred to him, and now lays it before the assembled conclave. - -"_Caballeros_! I can think of only one way--poor, doubtful chance it -is--by which we may get rescued. Some one must contrive to pass their -sentries." - -"Impossible!" is the thought of all hearing him, one or two expressing -it in speech. For of all the things observed as vigorously kept up, -never relaxed for an hour--even a moment--has been that sentinel line -thrown across the plain from flank to flank of the ravine. All day long -it has appeared there, and all through the night evidently redoubled. - -"Pity if it be," rejoins Don Estevan, yielding to what appears the -general sentiment. "And to think that one word at Arispe would make all -well. My own brother-in-law, Colonel Requenes, in command there with a -regiment of lancers--they of Zacatecas. In less than half an hour they -could be in the saddle, and hastening to our relief. _Ay Dios_! if we -can't communicate with them we are lost--surely lost!" - -At this, Robert Tresillian says, interrogatively: - -"I wonder how many of our people could find the way back to Arispe?" - -Without altogether comprehending what he means, several numbers are -mentioned in a guessing way, according to the estimate of each. Pedro -Vicente thinks at least thirty could,--certainly all the _arrieros_ and -_vaqueros_. - -"What is your idea, Don Roberto?" at length asks the senior partner. - -"That all of those who know the way back be mustered, and two taken from -them by lot, who will run the risk of passing the Indian sentries. If -they succeed, then all may be saved; if on the contrary, it will be but -to lose their lives a little sooner. I propose that all submit to the -lottery--all who are unmarried." - -"I agree with the Senor Tresillian," here puts in the _gambusino_. -"Some of us must contrive to get past them at whatever risk. For my -part, I'm willing to be one, with any other." - -The generous proposal is received with applause, but not accepted,--it -would not be fair; and in fine it is agreed upon, that fate shall -determine who shall be the pair to run the proposed risk--the ceremony -for deciding it to take place on the morrow. - -In the morning it comes off soon as breakfast is eaten. All known to be -eligible are summoned together on a spot of ground apart, and told the -purport of their being so assembled. No one objects, or tries to evade -the dangerous conscription; instead, there are even some who, like -Vicente, would volunteer for the duty. - -For is not one of the _duenos_--the brave Englishman and his son, there -present--both offering themselves as candidates like any of the common -men? - -No volunteering, then, is allowed; fortune alone permitted to decide on -whom shall be the forlorn hope. - -The quaint lottery, though awe-inspiring, occupies but a brief space of -time. Against the number of men who are to take part in it, a like -number of _pinon-nuts_ have been counted out, and dropped into a -deep-crowned _sombrero_. Two of the nuts have been already stained with -gunpowder, the others left in their natural colour; but no one by the -feel could tell which was which. The black ones are to be the _prizes_. - -The men stand in a ring round Don Estevan, with another who is among the -exempt in the centre. These hold the hat, into which one after another, -stepping from the circle, led forward blindfolded, inserts his hand, and -draws out a nut. If white, he goes clear; but long before the white -ones are exhausted the two blacks are taken up, which brings the -ceremony to an abrupt end, that deciding all. - -They who have drawn the _prizes_ are a muleteer and a cattle drover, -both brave fellows. They had need be, for this very night they will -have to run the gauntlet of life and death, perhaps ere the morrow's sun -to be no more. - - - -CHAPTER TWENTY. - -A FATAL FAILURE. - -It is a day of anxious solicitude. If the night turn out a dark one, -the messengers whom fate has chosen for the perilous enterprise are to -set out on their errand. They know it is to be a moonless one, but for -all, in the diaphanous atmosphere of that upland plateau, it may be too -clear to make the passing of the Indian sentinels at all possible. - -The afternoon begets hope: a bank of heavy clouds is seen rising along -the western sky, which, rolling higher and higher, brings on a downpour -of rain. It is of short continuance, however--over before sunset, the -clouds again dispersing. Then the darkness comes down, but for a long -time only in a glimmering of grey, the stars in grand sheen making it -almost as clear if there was moonlight. - -The sentinels can be seen in their old places like a row of dark stakes, -conspicuous against the green turf on which they are stationed. They -are at short distances apart, and every now and then forms are observed -moving from one to the other, as if to keep them continuously on the -alert. - -So thus, nigh up to the hour of midnight, and the miners begin to -despair of their messengers being able to pass out--at least, on this -night. - -But soon, to their satisfaction, something shows itself promising a -different result. The surface of the lake has suddenly turned white, as -if under a covering of snow. It is fog. Through the heated atmosphere -the lately-fallen rain is rising in vapour, and within its misty shroud -it envelopes not only the lake, but the plain around its edges. It -rolls over the line of savage watchers, on up between the jaws of the -chine, till in its damp clammy film it embraces the bodies of those who -are waiting above. - -"Now's your time, _muchachos_!" says Don Estevan, addressing himself to -those who are to adventure. "There could not be a better opportunity; -if they can't be passed now, they never can." - -The two men are there ready, and equipped for the undertaking. Young -fellows both, with a brave look, and no sign of quailing or desire to -back out. Each carries a small wallet of provisions strapped to his -person, with a pistol in his belt, but no other arms or accoutrements to -encumber them. In subtleness and activity, more than mere physical -force, lie their chances of success. - -A shaking of hands with such of their old comrades as are near, -farewells exchanged when they pass over the parapet of loose stones to -commence the descent, with many a "_va con Dios_!" sent after them in -accents of earnest prayerfulness. Then follows an interregnum of -profound silence, during which time they at the ravine's head listen -with keenest anxiety. - -After a few seconds a slight rustling below tells that one of the two -has made a slip, or pushed a stone out of place; but nothing comes of -it. Then a horse neighs in the distant camp, and soon after another, -neither of them having any significance. No more the screaming of -wild-fowl at the lower end of the lake, nor the querulous cry of -"chuck-will's widow," hawking high over it. None of these sounds have -any portent as to the affair in hand, and they, listening, begin to hope -that it has succeeded--for surely there has been time for the two men to -have got beyond the guarded line? - -Hope premature, alas! to be disappointed. Up out of the mist comes the -sound of voices, as if in hail, followed by dubious response, and quick -succeeding a struggle with shots. Then a cry or two as in agony, a -shout of triumph, and all silent as before. - -For the rest of the night they on the _mesa_ sleep not. Too surely has -their scheme failed, and their messengers fallen victims to it. If they -were any doubts about this, these are set at rest at an early hour of -the morning. - -Sad evidence they have to convince them. On the spot where the -scalp-dance had taken place a red pole is again erected, as the other -ornamented with the skins of human heads. But not now to be danced -around; though for a time they, looking from above, think there is to be -a repetition of that savage ceremony. Soon they are undeceived, and -know it to be a spectacle still more appalling. From the camp they see -a man conducted, whom they identify as one of their ill-fated -messengers. Taken on to the stake, he is placed back against it, with -arms extended and strapped to a cross-piece, in a way representing the -figure of the Crucifixion. His breast has been stripped bare, and on it -is seen painted in white the hideous symbol of the Death's head and -crossbones. - -For what purpose all this display? the spectators conjecture among -themselves. Not long till they have the answer. They see several -scores of the savages range themselves at a certain distance off, each -gun in hand, one after the other taking aim and discharging his piece at -the human target. Gradually the disc on the breast is seen to darken, -turning red, till at length not a spot of white is visible. But long -ere this the head of the hapless victim, drooped over his shoulder, -tells that he is dead. - -The cruel tragedy is repeated, showing now what was not known before, -that both the ill-starred couriers had been taken alive. He brought -forth next is recognisable, by the picturesque dress still on his -person, as the _vaquero_. But when taken up to the stake he is stripped -of it, the velveteen _jaqueta_ pulled from off his shoulders, his shirt -torn away, leaving his breast bare. Then with a hurried touch, the -grim, ghastly device is limned upon him, and he is taken up to the pole -as the other. - -A fresh fusillade commences, the white gradually showing dimmer, till at -length it is deeply encrimsoned, and the _vaquero_ is a lifeless corpse. - -When it is all over, the Coyoteros turn towards the gorge, and looking -up, give utterance to wild yells of triumph, brandishing their weapons -in a threatening manner, as much as to say, "That's the way we'll serve -you all, when the time comes." - - - -CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. - -A PRODIGIOUS LEAP. - -Needless to say that the failure of their scheme with such fatal -consequence has deepened the gloom in the minds of the besieged miners, -already dark enough. Now more than ever do they believe themselves -doomed. There seems no alternative left but surrender or starvation and -as both are alike certain death, they dwell not on the first. True, -starvation is not yet so close at hand; they have still provisions--some -of the old caravan stores--sufficient for a couple of weeks, if -carefully served out, while the live stock furnished by the _mesa_ -itself has not all been exhausted. Some animals as yet remain -uncaptured, though how many they know not. - -To make sure, another grand _battue_ is set on foot to embrace the whole -summit area. Every outlying corner and promontory are quartered and -beaten, so that no four-footed creature could possibly be there without -being seen or shot. The result is a bag, of but small dimensions, -though with large variety; a prong-horn antelope, the last of a band -that had been daily getting thinned; several sage hares, a wolf, and -three or four coyotes. More of these last were startled, but not -killed, as they have lairs in the ledges of the cliffs to which they -betake themselves, secure from pursuit of hunter. - -While the _battue_ is at its height, one large quadruped is put up which -more than any other excites the ardour of those engaged. It is a -bighorn, or Rocky Mountain sheep, remnant of that flock first found upon -the _mesa_ by Vicente and Henry Tresillian; it is also a ram, a young -one, but with grand curvature of horns. One after another all the rest -have been made mutton of, and their bones lie bleaching around the camp; -but, though several times chased, this sole survivor has ever contrived -to escape, as though it had a charmed life. And now again it seems -still under such protection; for at starting several shots are fired at -it, none taking effect; and it bounds on, apparently unharmed, towards -an outlying projection of the plateau. - -Those who have emptied their guns follow without staying to re-load; for -they form a line which, deployed crossways, cannot fail to enclose and -cut off its retreat, making escape impossible. In fine, they effect -this purpose; some, with guns still charged, confidently advancing to -give the animal its _coup de grace_. They are even aiming at it, when, -lo! a leap upward and outward, with head bent down as one making a dive, -and the bighorn bounds over the cliff. - -Five hundred feet fall--shattered to atoms on the rocks below!--this -their thought as they approach the precipice to see the prodigious leap -that must have been taken by the animal in its panic of fear. One, -however, draws nigh with a different thought, knows there was method in -that seeming madness, and that the _carnero_ sprang over with a design. -Pedro Vicente it is; and with the others soon upon the cliff's brow, -and, gazing below, to their surprise they see no sheep there, dead and -crushed as expected. Instead, a live one out upon the _llano_, making -off in strides long and vigorous. - -Sure of its being the same they had just driven over, all are astounded, -expressing their astonishment in loud ejaculations. Alone the -_gambusino_ is silent, a pleased expression pervading his countenance, -for that extraordinary feat of the horned creature has let a flood of -light into his mind, giving him renewed hope that they may still be -saved. He says nothing of it to those around, leaving it for more -mature consideration, and to be discussed in their council of the night. - -But long after the others have returned to camp he lingers on the cliff, -treading backwards and forwards along its crest, surveying it from every -possible point of vantage, as though in an endeavour to find out how the -sheep made that extraordinary descent. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -Another night is on, and, as is their wont, the chief men of those -besieged are assembled in the tent of Don Estevan. Not discouraged yet, -for there is a rumour among them that some new plan has been thought of -for passing the Indian sentries, less likely to be disastrous than that -which has failed. It has been the whisper of the afternoon, their guide -being regarded as he who has conceived a scheme. - -When all are together Don Estevan calls upon him to declare it, saying, - -"I understand, Senor Vicente, you've thought of a way by which a -messenger may yet elude the vigilance of their sentries, and get beyond -them?" - -"I have, your worship." - -"Please make it known." - -"Nothing more simple; and I only wonder at not having thought of it -before. After all, that would have been useless, for only this day have -I discovered the thing to be possible." - -"We long to hear what it is." - -"Well, then, senores, it's but to give them the slip. Going out by the -back door, while they are so carefully guarding the front. That can be -done by our letting one down the cliff--two, if need be." - -"But where?" - -"Where the _carnero_ went over." - -"What! five hundred feet? Impossible! We have not rope enough to reach -half the distance." - -"We don't need rope to reach much more than a third of it." - -"Indeed! Explain yourself, Don Pedro." - -"I will, your worship, and it is thus. I've examined the cliff -carefully, where the sheep went over. There are ledges at intervals; it -is true not wide, but broad enough for the animal to have dropped upon -and stuck. They can cling to the rocks like squirrels or cats. Some of -the ledges run downwards, then zigzag into others, also with a downward -slope; and the ram must have followed these, now and then making a -plunge, where it became necessary, to alight on his hoofs or horns, as -the case might be. Anyhow, he got safe to the bottom, as we know, and -where it went down, so may we." - -There is a pause of silence, all looking pleased for the words of the -_gambusino_ have resuscitated hopes that had almost died out. They can -see the possibility he speaks of, their only doubt and drawback being -the fear they may not have rope enough. - -"It seems but a question of that," says Don Estevan, as if speaking -reflectingly to himself. - -The others are also considering, each trying to recall how much and how -many of their trail-ropes were brought up in that hasty _debendade_ from -their camp below. - -"_Por Dios_! your worship," rejoins the _gambusino_, "it is no question -of that whatever. We have the materials to make cords enough, not only -to go down the cliff, but all round the mountain. Miles, if it were -needed!" - -"What materials?" demanded several of the party, mystified. - -"_Mira_!" exclaims the _gambusino_. "This!" He starts up from a bundle -of dry _mezcal_-leaves on which he has been seated, pushing it before -him with his foot. - -All comprehend him now, knowing that the fibre of these is a flax, or -rather hemp, capable of being worked into thread, cloth, or cordage; and -they know that on the _mesa_ is an unlimited supply of it. - -"No question of rope, _caballeros_; only the time it will take us to -manufacture it. And with men such as you, used to such gearing, that -should not be long." - -"It shall not," respond all. "We'll work night and day till it be -done." - -"One day, I take it, will be enough--that to-morrow. And if luck attend -us, by this time to-morrow night we may have our messengers on the way, -safe beyond pursuit of these accursed redskins." - -Some more details are discussed maturing their plans for the -rope-making. Then all retire to rest, this night with more hopeful -anticipations than they have had for many preceding. - - - -CHAPTER TWENTY TWO. - -A YOUTHFUL VOLUNTEER. - -Another day dawns, and as the earliest rays of the sun light up the -Cerro Perdido, an unusual bustle is observed in the camp of the -besieged. Men are busy collecting the leaves of the _mezcal_-plant, -those that are withered and dry from having their corms cut out days -before; fortunately there are many of these lying all around. Other -men, armed with rudely-shaped mallets, beat them against the trunks of -trees, to separate the fibre from the now desiccated pulp; while still -others are twisting this into threads, by a further process to be -converted into thick ropes. - -It is found that after all not so much will be needed; several lassoes -had been brought up, tied round the bundles of goods; and with these and -other odds and ends of cordage, a rope can be put together full two -hundred feet in length, strong enough to sustain the weight of any man. -So, long before night the lowering apparatus is ready, and, as before, -they await the darkness to make use of it. - -Meanwhile Don Estevan, the two Tresillians, and Vicente spend most of -the morning on the cliff where the bighorn went over, surveying it from -every possible point, taking the bearings of its ledges, and estimating -their distances from one another. They are, as the _gambusino_ had -represented them, a succession of very narrow benches, but wide enough -for a man to find footing; some horizontal, others with a slope -downwards, then a zigzag bringing them lower, till within a hundred feet -from the cliff's base the _facade_ of rocks shows sheer and clear. Down -to this point all will be easy; and beyond it they anticipate little -difficulty, now that they are sure of having sufficient rope. - -While engaged in their reconnaissance, an object comes under their eyes -which they gaze upon with interest. They are upon the western side of -the _mesa_ not far above its southern point, the plain on that side -being invisible from the camp of the besiegers; and on this, at the -distance of a mile or more, there is a spot of pasture due to a tiny -rivulet, which, filtering off from the side of the lake, becomes -dispersed over a considerable surface, which it moistens and makes -green. - -Moving to and fro over this verdant stretch is the object which has -caught their attention--a horse of large size and coal-black colour, -which they know to be no other than Crusader. They are not surprised at -seeing him there. Habitually he frequents this spot, which has become -his accustomed pasturing-ground, and more than once had Henry Tresillian -stood on that cliff regarding him with fond affectionate gaze; more than -once, too, had the Indians again gone in chase of him, to be foiled as -before. There is he still unlassoed, free of limb as the antelopes seen -flitting over the _llano_ around him. - -After completing the examination of their precipice, and noting all -details that may be needed to help out their design, they stand for a -time gazing at the horse, his young master with a thought in his mind -which he withholds from the others. Nor does he communicate it to them -till after their return to the camp, and the question comes up, who are -the ones to be lowered down; for it is thought better that two -messengers should be sent, as company and support to each other. That -is the question to be decided, and up to this hour all expect it to be -as before--by lottery. - -In fine, when the time arrives for settling it, and the eligible ones -are again assembled for drawing lots, a proposal is made which takes -every one present by surprise. It comes from the youngest of the party, -Henry Tresillian, who says: - -"Let me go alone." - -All eyes turn upon him inquiringly and in wonder, none more than those -of his father, who exclaims: - -"You go alone, my son! Why do you propose that?" - -"Because it will be best, father." - -"How best? I do not understand you." - -"Crusader can only carry one." - -"Ah! Crusader--that's what you're thinking of?" - -"_Por Dios_!" exclaims the senior partner, "I see what your son means, -Don Roberto; his idea is admirable!" - -"Yes," says the English youth in answer to his father; "I've been -thinking of it ever since yesterday. On Crusader's back I can be at -Arispe days before any foot messenger could arrive there. Once I had -him between my legs, no fear of Indians overtaking me." - -"The very thing!" cries Don Estevan, delighted. "But, Senor Henrique, -are you sure you can catch the horse?" - -"Catch him! he will come to my call. Once on the plain, and within -hearing of my voice, I've no fear of his soon being by my side." - -"But why not let me take him?" puts in Pedro Vicente, as if to spare the -generous youth from undertaking such a risk. "I know the road better -than you, _muchacho_." - -"That may be," returns the other. "But I know it well enough. Besides, -Crusader will let no one catch him but myself--much less ride him." - -During all this conversation the bystanders regard the young Englishman -with looks of admiration. Never before have they seen so much courage -combined with intelligence. And all to be exerted in their favour; for -they have not forgotten the fate of their two comrades, put to death in -such a cruel fashion. Every one of them fears that the like may befall -himself, should it be his ill luck to draw a black _pinon_ out of the -_sombrero_. - -Not the least in admiration is Robert Tresillian himself: his heart -swells with pride at the gallant bearing of the boy, his own son, worthy -of the ancestral name; and when Don Estevan turns to him to ask whether -he objects to the proposal, it is to receive answer: - -"On the contrary, I approve of it. Foot messengers might not reach in -time, if at all. My brave boy will do it if it can be done; it may be -the means of bringing rescue to us all. If he fail, then I, like the -rest of you, must submit to fate." - -"I'll not fail," cries the impetuous youth, rushing forward and throwing -his arms round his father. "Fear not. I have a belief that God's hand -is in it, else why should my noble horse have stayed? Why is he still -there?" - -"_Virgen santissima_!" exclaims Don Estevan in devout tone. "It would -even seem so. Let us hope and pray that the Almighty's hand is in it. -If so, we shall be saved." - -Henry Tresillian is the hero of the hour, though he has been a favourite -with the people of the caravan all along, doing kind offices to this one -and that one, helping all who needed help. But now, when they hear he -has volunteered on this dangerous service, as it were offering up his -life for theirs, encomiums are loud on all sides. Women fall upon their -knees, and, with crucifix in hand, offer up prayers for his protection. -But Gertrude? Oh, the sad thoughts--the utter woe that strikes through -her heart--when she hears tidings of what is intended! She receives -them with a wild cry, almost a shriek, with arms outstretched staggering -to the side of her mother for support. - -"Mamma, father must not let him go. He will be lost, and then--then--" - -"Have no fear. Think, _hija mia_, we may all be lost if he do not." - -"But why cannot some other go in his place? There are many who know the -way as well as he, and that brave _gambusino_, I'm sure, would be -willing." - -"No doubt he would, dearest; there's some reason against it I do not -quite understand. We shall hear all soon, when father returns to the -tent." - -They do hear the reason; but not any the more to reconcile Gertrude. -The young girl is half beside herself with grief, utterly indifferent as -to who may observe it. The bud of her love has bloomed into a flower, -and she recks not that all the world know her heart is Henry -Tresillian's. The cousin left behind at Arispe, supposed to be an -aspirant to her hand, is forgotten. All are forgotten, save the one now -near, so soon to be cruelly torn away from her. Neither the presence of -her father and mother, nor that of his father, restrain her in her wild -ravings. She knows she has their approval of her partiality, and her -young heart, innocent of guile, yields to nature's promptings. - -Her appeals are in vain: what must be must be, and she at length resigns -herself to the inevitable. For Henry himself tells her how it is, and -that no one possibly could take his place. - -It is in dialogue between them, just as the twilight begins to cast its -purple shadows over the plain. For the time is drawing nigh for action, -and the two have gone apart from the camp to speak the last words of -leave-taking. They stand under a tree, hands clasped, gazing into each -other's eyes, those of the young girl full of tears. - -"_Querida_" he says, "do not weep. 'Twill be all well yet--I feel sure -of it." - -"Would that I could feel so, Henrique; but, oh! dearest, such danger! -And if the cruel savages capture you. _Ay Dios_! to think of what they -did with the others!" - -"Let them catch me if they can. They never will if I once get alongside -Crusader. On his back I may defy them." - -"True, I believe it. But are you sure of getting upon his back? In the -darkness you may not find him." - -"If not, it will be but to return to the cliff and be drawn up again." - -This assurance somewhat tranquillises her. There is at least the hope, -almost certainty, he will not, as the others, be sacrificed to a -fruitless attempt; and, so trusting, she says in conclusion: "Go, then, -_querido mio_. I will no more oppose it, but pray all night long for -your safety. I see now it is for the best, and feel that the blessed -Mary, mother of God, will listen to my prayers." - -No longer hands clasped, but arms entwined, and lips meeting in a kiss -of pure holy affection, sanctified by parental consent. Then they -return to the camp, where the final preparations are being made for that -venture upon which so much depends. - - - -CHAPTER TWENTY THREE. - -A RIDE IN MID-AIR. - -It turns out just such a night as was wished for--moonless, still not -obscurely dark. Too much darkness would defeat the end in view. They -need light for the lowering down, a thing that will take some time with -careful management. - -But the miners are the very men for such purpose. Not one of them who -has not dangled at a rope's end in a shaft hundreds of feet sheer down -into the earth. To them it is habitude--child's play--as to him who -spends his life scaling sea-coast cliffs for the eggs and young of -birds. - -It is yet early when the party entrusted with the undertaking assemble -on the edge of the precipice, at the point where the daring adventurer -is to make descent. Some carry coils of rope, others long poles notched -at the end for fending the line off the rocks, while the _gambusino_ is -seen bearing a burden which differs from all the rest. A saddle and -bridle it is; his own, cherished for their costliness, but now placed at -the service of his young friend, to do what he will with them. - -"I could ride Crusader without them," says the English youth: "guide him -with my voice and knees; but these will make it surer, and I thank you, -Senor Vicente." - -"Ah, _muchacho_! if they but help you, how glad 'twill make me feel! If -they're lost, it wouldn't be for that I'd grudge the twenty _doblones_ -the saddle cost me. I'd give ten times as much to see you seated in it -on the _plaza_ of Arispe." - -"I'll be there, _amigo_, in less than sixty hours if Crusader hasn't -lost his strength by too long feeding on grass." - -"I fancy you need not fear that, senorito; your horse is one that -nothing seems to affect. I still cling to the belief he's the devil -himself." - -"Better believe him an angel--our good angel now, as I hope he will -prove himself." - -This exchange of speech between the two who have long been _compagnons -de chasse_, is only an interlude occurring while the ropes are being -uncoiled and made ready. - -Instead of a loop to be passed around the adventurer's body, a very -different mode for his making descent has been pre-arranged. He is to -take seat in the saddle, just as though it were on the back of a horse, -and, with feet in the stirrups and hands clutching the cords that -suspend it, be so let down. A piece of wood passed under the tree, and -firmly lashed to pommel and cantle, will secure its equilibrium. - -Finally all is ready, and, the daring rider taking his seat, is soon -swinging in mid-air. Hand over hand they lower him down, slowly, -cautiously, listening all the while for a signal to be sent up. This -they get in due time--a low whistle telling them that he has reached the -first ledge, though they could tell it by the strain upon the rope all -at once having ceased. - -Up it is drawn again, its owner himself, in turn, taking seat in it, to -be lowered down as the other. Then again and again it is hoisted up and -let down, till half a score of the miners, stalwart men, Robert -Tresillian among them, stand on the bench below. - -Now the saddle is detached and fastened on to another rope, when the -same process is repeated; and so on, advantage being taken of the -sloping ledges, till the last is arrived at. - -Here it is but a repetition of what has gone before, only with a longer -reach of rope; and here Pedro Vicente takes last leave of the youth who -has become so endeared to him. - -In the eye of the _honest gambusino_ there is that not often seen there, -a tear. He flings his arms around the English youth, exclaiming: - -"_Dios te guarda, muchacho valiente_! (God guard you, my brave lad)." - -The parting between the two is almost as affectionate as that between -Henry and his father, the last saying, as he enfolds his son in his -arms: - -"God go with you, my noble boy!" In another moment the daring youth is -once more in the saddle, going down, down, till he feels his feet upon -the plain. Then stepping out of it, and sending up the preconcerted -signal, he detaches saddle and bridle from the cords, leaving the latter -to swing free. - -Shouldering the horse gear with other _impedimenta_, he looks round to -get his bearings, and, soon as satisfied about these, starts off over -the plain in search of Crusader. - -He is not the only one at that moment making to find the horse. From -the Indian camp a picked party has issued forth, urged by the chief. -For the new leader of the Coyoteros longs to possess that now famous -steed as much as did the deceased one. - -"Ten of my best mustangs, and as many of my mules, will I give for the -black horse of the paleface. He who captures him may claim that -reward." - -More than once has El Zopilote thus declared himself, exciting the -ardour and cupidity of his followers. Withal they have chased Crusader -in vain, over and over again, till in their superstitious fancy they -begin to think him a phantom. - -But as yet they have never tried to take him by night; and now, having -ascertained the place where he usually passes the nocturnal hours, they -start out in quest of him. - -Not rashly nor incautiously; instead, they proceed deliberately, and -with a preconceived plan, as though stalking game. Their intention is -first to enfilade the animal at long distance off, then contract the -circle, so as to have him sure. - -In execution of their scheme, on reaching the western side of the lake, -they divide into two parties. One moves along the mountain's foot, -dropping a file here and there; the other strikes out over the _llano_, -in a circular line, as it proceeds doing the same. - -It is too dark for them to see horse or other object at any great -distance, so they take care that their circle be wide enough to embrace -the stretch of pasture where the coveted animal is known to browse. - -Noiselessly they execute the movement, going at a slow walk, lest the -hoof-strokes of their horses may alarm the one they would enclose; and -when the heads of the separated parties again come together, all know it -by a signal agreed upon--the cry of the coyote transmitted along their -line admonishes them that the cordon is complete. - - - -CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR. - -ONCE MORE UPON CRUSADER. - -Henry Tresillian has hardly advanced a hundred yards from the cliff, -when the Indian party, turning northward, passes close to the spot where -he had been let down. Luckily not so close as to observe the rope still -hanging there, and far enough from himself to hinder their seeing him. -For the obscurity makes it impossible to distinguish objects unless very -near. - -Neither sees he them, nor has any suspicion of their dangerous -proximity; and without stop or stay he keeps on towards the point where -he expects to find his horse. - -He goes not without a guide. At the latest hour of twilight he had seen -Crusader about a mile off, in a direction due west; and although the -night is dark, some of the stars are visible, among them the Polar. -With this on his right shoulder he cannot mistake the way, so continues -on in confidence. - -He knows he will not need to go groping about, if the horse be still -there, as it is hoped he is: a peculiarly intoned call with a whistle -will bring him up from far as he can hear it. Many a time has his -master, while hunting on the hills round Arispe, so summoned Crusader to -his side. - -He has advanced more than half a mile, and is thinking whether he shall -not give the signal and put an end to all uncertainty. He should now be -near enough for it to be heard, and it will tell him if the animal be -still there or has wandered away to some other part of the _llano_. In -the latter case all his labours will be lost, and no alternative left -him but return to the cliff and get hoisted up again. - -Still a thought holds him silent. The activity of the Indians, with -their frequent patrol parties, more by night than by day, has long been -a matter of curiosity and speculation among the miners. What if such a -party be now out and within hearing? For he knows that to his voice -Crusader will respond with a neigh, and that might undo all. Therefore, -curbing his impatience, he proceeds on, silent as a spectre, his glances -directed now this way, now that, endeavouring to penetrate the gloom. - -All at once he hears the tramp of a horse, on the instant after seeing -and recognising Crusader. To his surprise also; for the animal is not -at rest or browsing, but moving excitedly about, every now and then -uttering a snort, as though he scented danger. His master knows he -himself cannot be the cause of this unlooked-for behaviour. The horse -is up wind, and could not possibly be aware of his approach. What, -then, is exciting him? - -Wolves--coyotes? Yes, it must be that; and as a proof of its being so, -just then he hears the whining howl of the jackals simultaneously all -around. - -Such a chorus resounding on every side seems odd, the more from its -being heard for but a brief moment, then silence as before. But Henry -Tresillian stays not to reflect on its oddity. He fears that the -howling repeated may start Crusader into a stampede, and without further -delay gives him that signal he knows will be answered. Answered it is, -and instantly, by a neigh sent back in response; and in twenty seconds -after the horse stands face to face with his young master, his velvet -muzzle pressing the latter's cheek. On one side there are words of -endearment, on the other a low, joyous whimpering, as though the dumb -brute was trying to speak its delight at their being together again. - -Crusader opens his mouth to receive the bit, and seems almost to stoop -for the saddle to be thrown over him. He is caparisoned in a trice; but -just as Henry Tresillian, stooping to tighten the girths, gets the -buckle into its hole, he hears that which causes him to rise erect, and -clutch at the bridle: the sound of hoofs on all sides; horses evidently, -with men upon their backs. Indians!--they can be no other! - -Quick as thought he vaults into the saddle, and sets himself ready to -make a dash. - -In what direction? He knows that which he should take for Arispe. But -is it open to him? This he cannot tell, nor, indeed, that any way is -open to him. For he now hears the tramp of horses all around, and -before he can resolve himself, sees the horses themselves. It has grown -a little clearer, for the moon is about to rise, and Crusader's neigh -had guided the Indians to the spot. - -If he stay, Henry Tresillian is conscious he will soon be encircled by a -crowd with no chance to get clear of it. Already he sees its ring -closing around him. - -But the Indians are still some fifty yards distant, come to a halt; -suddenly and with shouts of surprise, for they have sighted him. There -is even terror in their accents, with awe in their hearts--awe of the -supernatural. They supposed themselves making surround of a horse, when -lo! there is a man upon his back, all in keeping with the mysterious -character Crusader has obtained among those who have vainly chased him. - -The young Englishman notes their strange behaviour, but without thought -of the cause. He knows, however, they will not stay long at rest, and, -by the better light, seeing a break in their line, sets his horse's head -for it, gives the word with touch of knee, and springs forward at full -speed, determined to take his chance. - -In a dozen strides he is between two of the Coyotero horsemen, when he -feels his bridle arm suddenly drawn back and held tight to his body; -then, with a quick jerk he is lifted clean out of the saddle and flung -with violence to the earth! - -Fortunately he is neither stunned nor loses consciousness, but has all -his senses about him; he knows what has happened, and that he is in the -noose of a lasso. But his right arm is free, and, instantly regaining -his feet, he draws his knife, and, severing the cord in twain, releases -himself. - -It would have been to little purpose had his horse been other than he -is. But the sagacious animal, seeming to comprehend all, instead of -galloping away, has stayed by his side, and in another moment has its -master on its back again. - -With to all appearance a clear track before him now, the daring youth -once more makes forward, favoured by the confusion that has arisen among -the savages. In the dim light they are unable to distinguish the -strange horseman from one of themselves, and their surprise is but -increased with their superstitious terror, both holding them spellbound. -They but cry out, and question one another, without making any effort -to pursue. - -Henry Tresillian begins to think himself safe away, when he sees one of -the Coyoteros, who had lagged behind their line, come full tilt towards -him in a gallop as himself. Before he can check his pace, their animals -meet in violent collision, and the mustang of the Indian is flung back -on its haunches, dismounting its rider. The man has his gun in hand, -and, seeing a paleface, instinctively raises the piece, taking aim at -him. But before he can touch the trigger, the English youth has also a -piece levelled--a pistol, which cracks first; and the savage, uttering a -wild agonised yell, staggers a pace or two, and falls backward on the -grass. - -With nothing more in his way now, his young master again gives Crusader -the word, and off go they at highest race-course speed. - - - -CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE. - -UP THE CLIFF AGAIN. - -It is some time before the Indians recover from their mystification. Is -the black horse flesh and blood, or a phantom? - -Not until they have closed together and taken counsel of one another is -this question resolved. The wiser of them affirm that in some way one -of the palefaces must have got down the cliff, caught the horse, and -mounted him. That the rider, at least, is a mortal being they have -ample evidence in their comrade stretched dead upon the plain by a -bullet. - -The sight rekindles all their ire, and shouts of vengeance make the -welkin ring. But only for a while. Silence again reigns, and the -hoof-strokes of the retreating fugitive can be heard through the -tranquil calm of the night, stirring them to pursuit. - -Away go they in gallop after; but not all, nearly half of them turning -their horses' heads towards the cliff. For if the white men have let -one of their number down, there should be some sign of it, which they -proceed to search for. - -Impossible to depict the feelings of those on the _mesa_, above all, the -ones who have been standing on the ledges to await the result. They -cannot have themselves hoisted up again till sure their messenger has -either failed or got free, and from the moment of his parting from the -cliff's base, to them all had been uncertainty. Terrible suspense, too, -from the very first; for although they saw not the Indians passing -underneath, they heard their horses' tread, now and then a hoof striking -against stone, or in dull thud upon the hard turf. Though they could -not make out what it meant, they knew it was something adverse--hostile. -Horses would not be there without men on their backs, and these must be -enemies. - -Listening on, with hearts anxiously beating, they hear that strange -concatenation of cries, the supposed howling of coyotes, all around the -plain. It puzzles them, too; but before they have time to reflect on it -a sound better understandable reaches their ears--the neighing of a -horse--most of them recognising it as Crusader's, for most are familiar -with its peculiar intonation. - -More intently than ever do they listen now, but for a time hear nothing -more. Only a brief interval; then arise sounds that excite their -apprehension to its keenest--voices of men, in confused clamouring, the -accent proclaiming them Indians. - -Robert Tresillian, still standing beside the _gambusino_ on the lowest -ledge, feels his heart sink within him, as he exclaims: "My poor boy! -lost--lost!" - -"Wait, senor," says Vicente, with an effort to appear calm. "That's not -so sure. All's not lost that's in danger. If there be a chance of -escape your brave son's the very one to take advantage of it. _Oiga_! -what's that?" - -His question has reference to another chorus of cries heard out on the -plain; then a moment's lull, succeeded by a crashing sound as of two -heavy bodies brought into collision. After that a shot, quickly -followed by a yell--a groan. - -"A pistol!" exclaims the _gambusino_, "and sure the one Senorito -Henrique took with him. I'll warrant he's made good use of it." - -The father is too full of anxious thought to make reply; he but listens -on with all ears, and heart audibly pulsating. - -Next to hear the hoof-strokes of a horse in gallop as if going off; -which in a way cheers him: it may be his son escaped. - -But then there is more confused clamour, with loud ejaculations--voices -raised in vengeance; and after the trampling of other horses, apparently -starting in pursuit. - -What is to be done now?--draw up the rope, and have themselves drawn up? -There seems no reason for their waiting longer. The messenger is -either safe off, or has been captured; one way or the other he will not -get back there. So they may as well reascend the cliff. - -Besides, a thought of their own safety now forces itself upon them. A -streak of light along the horizon admonishes them of the uprising moon. -Already her precursory rays, reflected over the plain, begin to lighten -the obscurity, rendering objects more distinct, and they now make out a -dark mass on the _llano_ below, a party of horsemen, moving in the -direction of the _mesa_. - -"We'd better pull up, Don Roberto," says the _gambusino_; "they're -coming this way, and if they see the rope it will guide their eyes to -ourselves, and we're both lost men. They carry guns, and we'll be -within easy range, not over thirty yards from them. _Por Dios_! if they -sight us we're undone." - -Don Roberto makes neither protest nor objection. By this his son has -either got clear or is captured: in either case, he cannot return to -them. And, as his companion, he is keenly sensible to the danger which -is now threatening, so signifies assent. - -Silently they draw up the rope, and soon as it is all in their hands, -signal to those above to hoist them also. First one, making it fast -round his body, is pulled up; then the loop is let down, and the other -ascends, raised by an invisible power above. - -Four are now on the next ledge, and, by like course of proceeding are -lifted one after another to that still higher, the sloping benches -between helping them in their ascent. All is done noiselessly, -cautiously; for the savages are now seen below in dark clump, stationary -near the foot of the precipice. - -They have reached the last bench, and so far unmolested, begin to think -themselves out of danger, - -But alas, no! The silence long prevailing is suddenly broken by a rock -displaced and rolling down; while at the same moment the treacherous -moon, showing over the horizon's edge, reveals them to the eyes of the -Indians. - -Then there is a chorus of wild yells, followed by shots--a very -fusillade; bullets strike the rocks and break fragments off, while other -shots fired in return by those above into the black mass below instantly -disperse it. - -In the midst of all, the last man is drawn up to the summit, but when -landed there, they who draw him up see that the rope's noose is no -longer round a living body, but a corpse, bleeding, riddled with -bullets. - - - -CHAPTER TWENTY SIX. - -DISTANCED--NO DANGER NOW. - -Finding himself clear of the Indians, Henry Tresillian's heart beats -high with hope; no mischance happening, he can trust Crusader to keep -him clear. And now he turns his thoughts to the direction he should -take. But first to that in which he is going, for he has galloped out -of the encircling line through the nearest opening that caught his eye. - -The foretaste of the moonlight enables him to see where he is--luckily, -on the right track. The route to Arispe lies south-eastward, and the -lake must be passed at its upper or lower end. The former is the direct -route, the other around about; but then there is the Indian camp to be -got past, and others of the savages may be up and about. Still the -wagon _corral_ is two or three hundred yards from the water's edge, -which may give him a chance to pass between unobserved, and, with -unlimited confidence in his horse, he resolves upon risking it. - -An error of judgment: he has not taken into account the _fracas_ behind, -with the report of his own pistol, and that all this must have been -heard by the redskins remaining in camp. It has nevertheless. The -consequence being that ere he has got half round the upper end of the -lake, he sees the plain in front of him thickly dotted with dark forms-- -men on horseback--hears them shouting to one another. A glance shows -him it is a gauntlet too dangerous to be run. The fleetness of his -steed were no surety against gun-shots. - -He reins up abruptly, and, with a wrench round, sets head west again, -with the design to do what he should have done at first--turn the lake -below. - -The _detour_ will be much greater now: he has passed a large elbow of -it, which must be repassed to get around; but there is no alternative, -and, regretting his mistake, he makes along the back track at best -speed. Not far before finding further reason to be sorry for his -blunder. On that side, too, he sees mounted men directly before him-- -those he had lately eluded. They are scattered all over the plain, -apparently in search of him, some riding towards the lake's lower end, -thinking he has gone that way. But all have their eyes on him now, and -place themselves in position to intercept him. His path is beset on -every side, the triumphant cries of the Coyoteros proclaiming their -confidence that they have him at last--sure to capture or kill him now. -And his own heart almost fails him: go which way he will, it must be -through a shower of bullets. - -Again he reins up, and sits in his saddle undecided. The risk seems -equal, but it must be run; there is no help for it. - -Ha! yes, there is. A thought has flashed across his brain--a memory. -He remembers having seen the camp animals wading the lake through and -through; not over belly-deep. Why cannot Crusader? - -With quick resolve he sets his horse's head for the water, and in a -second or two after the animal is up to the saddle-girths, plunging -lightly as if it were but fetlock-deep. - -Another cry from the Indians on both sides--surprise and disappointment -mingled; in tones telling of their belief in the supernatural, and come -back. - -But soon they, too, recall the shallowness of the lake, and see nothing -strange in the fugitive attempting to escape across it. So, without -loss of time, they again put their horses to speed, making to head him -on its eastern shore. - -They are as near as can be to succeeding. A close shave it is for the -pursued messenger, who, on emerging from the water, sees on either flank -horsemen hastening towards him. But he is not dismayed. Before any of -them are within shot range he dashes onward; Crusader, with sinews -braced by the cool bath, showing speed which ensures him against being -overtaken. - -He is pursued, nevertheless. The subtle savages know there are chances -and mischances. One of the latter may arise in their favour; and hoping -it will be so, they continue the chase. - -The moon is now up, everything on the level _llano_ distinguishable for -miles, and the black horse with his pale-faced rider is still less than -twenty lengths ahead; so after him they go, fast as their mustangs can -be forced. - -Only to find that in brief time the twenty lengths have become doubled, -then trebled, till in fine they see that it is fruitless to carry the -pursuit further. - -With hearts full of anger and chagrin, they give it up. Some -apprehension have they as well. El Zopilote is not with them; what will -he say on their returning empty-handed? what do? For it is now no mere -matter of the catching of a horse; instead, more serious--a courier gone -off to bring succour to the besieged. - -Down-hearted and dejectedly they turn their horses' heads, and ride back -for Nauchampa-tepetl. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -Had the Coyoteros stuck to their faith in the probability of accidents -and continued the pursuit, they might have overtaken Henry Tresillian -after all. For scarce have they turned backs upon him when a mishap -befalls him, not absolutely staying him in his course, but delaying him -wellnigh an hour. He is making to regain the road which runs north from -Arispe, at the point where the caravan, forced by want of water, had -deflected from it to the Cerro Perdido. In daylight he could have -ridden straight to it; for since then from the _mesas_ summit Pedro -Vicente had pointed to guide-marks indicating the spot where his -initials were carved upon the _palmida_. But in his haste now, amid the -glamour of a newly-risen moon, the messenger has gone astray, only -discovering it when his horse suddenly staggering forward comes down -upon his knees, shooting him out of the saddle. - -He is less hurt than surprised. Never before has Crusader made false -step or stumble, and why now? - -A moment reveals the reason: the ground has given way beneath, letting -him down knee-deep into a hole, the burrow of some animal. - -Fortunately, there are no bones broken, no damage done either to horse -or rider; and the latter, recovering his seat in the saddle, essays to -proceed. Soon to be a second time brought to a stand, though not now -unhorsed. Crusader but lurches, keeping his legs, though again near -going down. - -The young Englishman perceives what it is: he is riding through a warren -of the kind well known on the plains of Western America as "a -prairie-dog town or village." In the moonlight he sees the hillocks of -these marmots all around, with the animals themselves squatting on them; -hears their tiny squirrel-like bark, intermingling with the hoot of the -quaint little owl which shares their subterranean habitations. - -Once more at halt, he again bethinks himself what is best to do. Shall -he ride back and go round the village, or continue on across it, taking -the chances of the treacherous ground? - -He listens, soon to become assured that the pursuit has been abandoned, -thus giving him choice to act deliberately, and do as seems best to him. - -Around the dog town may be miles, while direct to the other side may be -only a few score yards. They are often of oblong shape, extending far, -but of little breadth, possibly because of the condition of the ground -and the herbage it produces. - -Having ridden into it, he resolves to keep on; but to his great -annoyance and disgust finds it to extend far beyond the limits of his -patience; and as Crusader's hoofs break through the hollow crust, it -becomes necessary to alight and lead him. - -At length, however, he is out of it, and again on firm ground, with the -level _llano_ far stretching before him. But in the distance he -discerns a mountain ridge, trending north and south, lit up by the -moon's light, along which, as he knows, lies the route to Arispe. - -"We're on the right road now, my noble Crusader, with no fear of being -followed. And we must make it short as possible. The lives of many -depend on that--on your speed, brave fellow. So let us on." - -Crusader responds with one of his strangely-intoned whimperings--almost -speech. Then stands motionless, till his young master is in the saddle; -after which he again goes off in a gallop, _ventre a terre_. - - - -CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN. - -IN PAINFUL SUSPENSE. - -Than the rest of that night no more anxious time has been spent by the -beleaguered miners. If their new messenger fail in his errand, then -they can never dispatch another. No chance for a second one to descend -the cliff, or get down the gorge, for both will be hereafter guarded -more carefully than ever. - -All stay awake till morning, listening to every sound below, and doing -what they can to interpret it. They had heard the cries near the Indian -camp as Henry Tresillian attempted to pass it, those by the ravine's -head hearing them plainer. Then other cries, as in response, proceeding -from the western side of the lake. - -After that a moment of silence, succeeded by a plunging noise, as of a -horse making his way through deep water. And soon after shouts again, -for a while continuous, terminating in hoof-strokes, at each instant -less distinct, at length dying away in the distance. - -But just then they upon the cliff had to listen to other sounds more -concerning themselves. For it was at this time their presence became -known to the party remaining behind, resulting in that hurried ascent -from ledge to ledge, with the loss of one of their number. - -Long after, they see that which renews their excitement, their thoughts -in a conflict between hope and fear. From the vidette post, around -which they have all gathered, they behold a moving mass, in the early -dawn distinguishable as men on horseback. It is the party who went in -pursuit of their messenger returning. But whether they have him with -them or no cannot be told; for they come back in a thick clump, and he -may be in its midst invisible. Nor is it opened out till they pass -behind the abutment of rock, disappearing from the view of those on the -_mesa_. - -By the besieged ones the day is passed with anxiety unrelieved. For, -although several had hastily proceeded to a point from which a sight of -the Indian camp could be obtained, it was yet too dark to see whether -the pursuers had brought back a prisoner. And when daylight came, he -might be there without their being able to see him--inside the marquee, -or under one of the wagons. - -Gradually, however, their hopes gain the ascendant; for nothing of -Crusader can be seen, and the noble steed, if there, could not well be -hidden away. Besides, there is no more setting up of that ensanguined -stake, no more firing at a human target, as would likely have taken -place had the pale-faced courier been their captive. Instead, a certain -restlessness, with signs of apprehension, is observed among themselves -throughout all the day, almost proclaiming his escape. - -In Don Estevan's tent it is discussed, and this conclusion come to, -giving joy to all. But to none as to his own daughter. All day a prey -to keen, heart-sickening anxiety, how glad is she at hearing the -_gambusino_ say: - -"I'm sure the senorito has got safe away, and is now on the road to -Arispe. Were it not so, we'd have seen him ere this--tied to that -accursed stake and riddled with bullets, as the others. The brutes -meant doing the same with me; had almost begun it, when, thanks to the -Virgin, there came a slip between cup and lip. And I think we may thank -her now for giving a like chance to the brave lad. _Santos Dios_! he -deserves it." - -Cheering words to Gertrude, who can scarce resist rushing up to the -speaker and giving him a kiss for them. Chaste kiss it would be, for -the _gambusino_ is neither young nor handsome. She contents herself by -saying: - -"Oh, sir! if he get safe to Arispe, you shall be paid for your saddle -ten times over. I'm sure father will not grudge that." - -"Saddle, _nina lindissima_!" exclaims Vicente, with a quizzical smile; -"that's nought to me. I'd be glad to sacrifice a hundred such--ay, a -thousand, if I could afford it, for him you seem so interested in. His -life's too precious to be weighed in the scale against all the horsegear -in the world." - -All signify approval of these generous sentiments, so pleasing to the -youth's father, who tacitly listens. And the brief dialogue over, they -turn to discussing the chances of relief reaching them, now for the -first time seeming favourable. - -"If," says Don Estevan, hopeful as any, "he meet no accident before -arriving at Arispe, then we may count on receiving succour. There's but -one thing we have to fear--time! Nor need we fear that, if Colonel -Requenes be there with his regiment. By ill fortune he may not." - -"What reason have you for thinking he may not?" asks Robert Tresillian. - -"I recall his telling me, just before we started, that there was a -likelihood of his being ordered to Guaymas, to assist in suppressing a -reported rising of the Yaquis Indians. If he has gone thither we'll be -no better off than before." - -"But the people of Arispe--surely they will not be indifferent to our -situation?" - -It is the Englishman who interrogates. - -"Ah, true," returns the Mexican, correcting himself, as a reassured -expression comes over his countenance. "They will not. I did not think -of that. I see it now." - -"'Tis not for us and ours alone we may expect them to bestir themselves; -but for their own relatives and friends. Think, _amigo mio_! There -isn't one of our following but has left some one behind who should rush -to the rescue soon as hearing how things stand." - -"You're right, Don Roberto. Whether the soldiers be there or not. -Arispe and its surroundings can surely furnish force enough to effect -our deliverance. We must have patience--hope and pray for it." - -"Dear husband," here interposes the senora, "you seem to forget my -brother, Juliano, and his three hundred _peones_. At least half of them -are brave fellows, a match for any savages as these who surround us. If -Henrique succeed in reaching Arispe, he will go on to my brother's -_hacienda_, soldiers or no soldiers." - -This speech from an unexpected quarter further heightens their hopes, -already rapidly rising. They almost feel as if the siege was being -raised, and themselves about to continue their long-delayed journey. - -A like sentiment pervades the people all through the camp. In every -shed and booth is a group conversing on the same topic, and much in a -similar way; all with trusting reliance on the friends left behind, -confident they will not fail them. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -At this self-same hour the feeling in the Coyotero camp is quite the -contrary: instead of confidence, there is doubt, even apprehension. The -white men's messenger--for they are sure he must have been this--has got -through their lines, clear away, and well do they comprehend the -consequences. - -They know the miners come from Arispe--marks on the wagons and other -chattels tell them that--and the paleface courier will be now hastening -thither. On such a swift steed he will reach it in quick time; and, -with the tale which he has to tell, alike quick will be the response: a -rescuing host in rush for Nauchampa-tepetl. It may even arrive before -the return of their raiders from the Horcasitas. - -Thus apprehensive, on the day and night following the escape of Henry -Tresillian, and for many days and nights after, there is as much, if not -more, anxiety in the camp of the besiegers as in that of the besieged. - -The latter fear but famine; the former, fire and sword. - - - -CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT. - -FRIENDS IN FEAR. - -"Glad to see you, Senor Juliano! It's not often you honour Arispe with -your presence." - -Colonel Requenes is the speaker, he spoken to being a gentleman of -middle age, in civilian costume, the dress of a _haciendado_. It is Don -Juliano Romero, brother of the Senora Villanueva, the owner of a large -_ganaderia_ or grazing estate, some six or seven miles out of Arispe. - -"True," he admits, "nor would you see me now, only that this thing -begins to look serious." - -"What thing?" asks the Colonel, half divining it. - -"No news from Villanueva, I came to see if _you've_ had any." - -"Not a word; and you're right about it's beginning to look serious. I -was just talking of it to your son there, before you came in." - -They are in a large apartment in Colonel Requenes' official residence, -his receiving-room, into which the _ganadero_ has just been ushered; the -son alluded to being there already, a youth of some sixteen summers, in -military uniform, with sabretasche and other insignia proclaiming him an -aide-de-camp. After greeting his father, he has resumed his seat by a -table on which are several open despatches, with which he seems to busy -himself. - -"_Por Dios_! I cannot tell what to make of it," pursues the _ganadero_; -"they must have reached the mine, wherever it is, long ago. Time enough -for word to have been brought back. And my sister not writing to me, -that's a puzzle! She promised she would soon as they got there." - -"And Villanueva himself promised he would write to me. Besides, the -people, many of them, have left friends behind, relatives out in the -neighbourhood of the old _minera_. Some of them are in Arispe every -day, inquiring if there be any news of those gone north; so it's clear -they've had no word from them either." - -"What do you suppose can be the cause, Requenes?" - -"I've been trying to think. At first I fancied the great drought that's -been, with every stream and pond dried up, might have forced them out of -their way for water, and so lengthened their journey. But even with -that there's been time enough for them to have reached their destination -long since, and us to have heard of it. As we haven't, I fear it's -something worse." - -"What's your conjecture, Colonel?" - -"I'm almost afraid to venture on conjectures, but they force themselves -on me, Don Juliano; and in the one shape you will yourself, no doubt, be -thinking of." - -"I comprehend. _Los Indios_!" - -"_Los Indios_," echoes the officer; "just that. Villanueva told me the -new-discovered _veta_ lies a long way to the north-west, beyond the -headwaters of the Horcasitas. That's all country claimed by the Apaches -of different bands; as you know, every one of them determinedly hostile -to the whites, especially to us Mexicans, for reasons you may have heard -of." - -"I know all that; you allude to the affair of Gil Perez?" - -"I do; and my fear is our friends may have encountered these red-handed -savages. If so, Heaven have mercy on them, and God help them; for He -only can." - -"Encountering them would mean being attacked by them?" - -"Surely so; and destroyed if defeated: the men butchered, the women and -children carried into captivity." - -At this the young aide-de-camp turns round on his chair, his face -showing an expression of pain. He says nothing, however, but continues -an earnest listener to the conversation. - -"Merciful Heaven!" exclaims the _ganadero_, with a groan, "I hope it has -not come to that." - -"I hope so too, and don't yet think it has; only that it's probable -enough--too probable. Still, even if set upon, they would resist; and -when one comes to remember how many there were of them, they ought to -make a stout resistance." - -"Many of them," rejoins Don Juliano, "both miners and _vaqueros_, are of -approved valour, and were well armed. I was at the old _minera_ when -they started off, and saw that for myself." - -"Yes, I know; but their holding out would depend on the sort of ground -they chanced to be on when attacked, if they have been attacked. By -good luck, our mutual brother-in-law is no novice to Indian tactics, but -a soldier of experience, who'll know how to act in any emergency." - -"True; but the worst of it is his being embarrassed by having so many -women and children with him; among them, alas! my sister and niece. -_Pobrecitas_!" - -Again the young officer shifts uneasily on his chair, the expression of -pain still upon his face. For he is the cousin whom Gertrude was said -to have forgotten. - -"They took a number of large vehicles with them?" says the Colonel, -interrogatively. "American wagons, did they not?" - -"They did." - -"How many? Can you remember?" - -"Six or seven, I think." - -"And a large pack-train?" - -"Yes; the _atajo_ seemed to number about fourscore mules." - -For a moment the Colonel is silent, seeming to reflect, then says: - -"Villanueva would know how to throw these _carros_ into _corral_, and -with so many pack-saddles ought to make a defensible breastwork, to say -nothing of the bales and boxes of goods. If not taken by surprise while -_en route_, he'd be sure of using that precaution. So protected, and -armed as they were, they ought to hold good their ground against any -number of redskins. The worst danger would be their getting dropped on -in some place without water. In that case surrender would be the -necessary result, and surrender to Apaches were as death itself." - -"_Santissima_! yes--we all know that. But, Requenes, do you really -think we've to fear their having met such a disaster?" - -"I don't know what to think. I'd fain not fear it, but the thing looks -grave, no matter in what way one views it. There should have been word -from them several days ago; none coming, what other can be the -explanation?" - -"Ay, true; what other?" rejoins the _ganadero_, despondently. "But what -ought we to do?" he adds. - -"I've been considering that for some time, but couldn't make up my mind. -I've made it up now." - -"To what?" - -"To sending one of my squadrons along the route they took; with orders -to follow it up, if need be, to the new-discovered mine; at all events, -till it be ascertained what hinders our hearing from them." - -"That seems the best and only way," returns Don Juliano. "But when do -you propose your men to start?" - -"Immediately--soon as they can be ready. For such an expedition, most -of the way through a very wilderness, they will need supplies, however -lightly equipped. But I will issue the order this moment. Cecilio," to -the aide-de-camp, "hasten down to the _cuartel_, and tell Major Garcia -to come to me at once." - -The young officer, rising at the words and clapping on his shako, makes -straight for the outer door. But before stepping over its threshold, he -sees that which causes him to return instantly to the receiving-room, to -the surprise of those he had left there. - -"What is it?" demands the Colonel. - -"Look there!" - -He points out through the open window over the _plaza_ in front of it. -Springing from their seats and moving up to it, they perceive a young -man on horseback advancing towards the house; his face pale, and with a -wayworn look, his dress dust-stained, and otherwise out of order, the -horse he bestrides steaming at the nostrils, froth clouted, and with -palpitating flanks. - -"_Caramba_!" exclaims Colonel Requenes. "That's young Tresillian, the -son of Villanueva's partner!" - - - -CHAPTER TWENTY NINE. - -TO THE RESCUE. - -In an instant after Henry Tresillian is inside the room, warmly received -by both the Colonel and _ganadero_; less so by the young officer, though -the two had been formerly bosom friends. The coolness of Cecilio Romero -can be easily understood; but in the scene which succeeds, with hasty -questioning, and answers alike hurried, no one takes note of it. - -"You bring news--bad news, I fear?" says the Colonel. - -"Bad, yes. I'm sorry having to say so," returns the messenger. "This -is for you, senor--from Don Estevan Villanueva. 'Twill tell you all." - -He pulls a folded paper from under his jacket, and hands it to the -Colonel. - -Breaking it open, the latter reads aloud; Romero standing by and -listening, for its contents concern them all. - -Thus ran it: - -"_Hermano mio_, (brother), - -"If Heaven permit this to reach your hands, 'twill tell you how we are -situated--in extreme peril, I grieve to say, surrounded by Apache -Indians, the most hostile and cruel of all--the Coyoteros. Where and -how I need not specify. The brave boy who bears this, if successful in -putting it into your hands, will give you all details. When you've got -them, I know how you will act, and that no appeal from me is necessary. -On you alone depends our safety--our lives. Without your help we are -lost. - -"Estevan Villanueva." - -"They shall not be lost," cries the Colonel, greatly agitated--"not one -of them, if the Zacatecas Lancers can save them. I go to their aid; -will start at once. Away, Cecilio! down to the _cuartel_! Bring Major -Garcia back with you immediately. Now, senorito," he adds, turning to -Henry Tresillian, "the details. Tell us all. But, first, where are our -friends in such peril? In what place are they surrounded?" - -"In a place strange enough, Senor Colonel," answers the young -Englishman. "On the top of a mountain." - -"On the top of a mountain!" echoes the Colonel. "A strange situation, -indeed. What sort of mountain?" - -"One standing alone on the _llanos_, out of sight of any other, 'Tis -known as the Cerro Perdido." - -"Ah! I've heard of it." - -"I too," says the _ganadero_. - -"Up somewhere near the sources of the Horcasitas. A singular eminence-- -a _mesa_, I believe. But how came they to go there? It must be some -way off the route to their intended destination." - -"We were forced thither, senor, through want of water. The guide -advised it, and his advice would have been for the best, but for the ill -luck of the savages chancing to come along that way." - -"_Muchacho_, I won't confuse you with further questioning, but leave you -to tell your tale. We listen. First have a _copita_ of Catalan brandy -to refresh you. You seem in need of it." - -"There's one needs refreshing as much as myself, Senor Colonel; ay, -more, and more deserves it." - -"What one! Who?" - -"My horse out there. But for him I would not be here." - -"Ah! that's your grand steed," says the Colonel, looking out; "I -remember him--Crusader. He does seem to need it, and shall have it. -_Sargento_!" This in loud call to an orderly sergeant in waiting -outside, who, instantly showing his face at the door, receives command -to see the black horse attended to. - -"Now, _muchacho mio_! proceed." - -Henry Tresillian, still speaking hurriedly for reasons comprehensible, -runs over all that has occurred to the caravan, since its departure from -the worked-out mine near Arispe, till its arrival at the Lost Mountain. -Then the unexpected approach of the Indians, resulting in the retreat to -the summit of the Cerro, with the other incidents and events -succeeding--to that, the latest, of himself being lowered down the -cliff, and his after-escape through the fleetness of his matchless -steed. - -"How many of the Indians are there?" asks the Colonel. "Can you tell -that, senorito?" - -"Between four and five hundred, we supposed; but they were not all there -when I left. Some days before half their number went off on a marauding -expedition southward; so our guide believed, as they were dressed and -painted as when on the war-trail." - -"These had not returned when you came away?" - -"No, Senor Colonel; no sign of them." - -"I see it all now, and pity the poor people who live on the lower -Horcasitas. That's where they were bent for, no doubt. The more reason -for our making haste to reach the Cerro Perdido. We may catch these -raiders on return. _Sargento_!" This again in call to the orderly, who -responds instantly by presenting himself in the doorway. - -"Summon the bugler! Give him orders to sound the `assembly' at once. -We must start without a moment's delay. How fortunate those Yaquis kept -quiet, else I would be now operating around Guaymas." - -"We must, Requenes. But will your regiment be enough? How many men can -you muster?" - -"Five hundred. But there's the battery of mountain howitzers--fifty men -more. Of course, I take that along." - -"And of course I go too," says the _ganadero_; "and, to make sure of our -having force sufficient, can take with me at least a hundred good men, -the pick of my _vaqueros_. Fortunately they're now all within easy -summons, assembled at my house for the _herradero_" (cattle branding), -"which was to come off to-morrow. That can be postponed. _Hasta -luego_, Colonel; I ride back home to bring them; so doubt not my having -them here, and ready for the route soon as your soldiers." - -"_Bueno_! Whether needed or not, it will be well to have your valiant -_vaqueros_ with us. I'll welcome them." - -Instantly after the _plaza_ of Arispe displays an animated scene, people -crowding into it from all parts, with air excited. For the report, -brought by the young Englishman, has gone forth and all abroad, -spreading like wildfire,--Villanueva and Tresillian, with all their -people, surrounded by savages! "_Los Indios_!" is the cry carried from -point to point, striking terror into the hearts of the Arispenos, as -though the dreaded redskins, instead of being at an unknown distance -off, were at the gates of their city. - -Then succeeds loud cheering as the bugle-call proclaims the approach of -the _lanzeros_, troop after troop filing into the _plaza_, and forming -line in front of their colonel's quarters, all in complete equipment, -and ready for the route. - -More cheering as Don Juliano Romero comes riding in at the head of his -hundred retainers; _vaqueros_ and _rancheros_, in the picturesque -costume of the country, armed to the teeth, and mounted on their -mustangs, fresh, fiery, and prancing. - -Still another cheer, as the battery of mountain howitzers rolls in and -takes its place in the line. Then a loud chorus of _vivas_! as the -march commences, prolonged and carried on as the column moves through -the street; the crowd following far beyond the suburbs, to take leave of -it with prayers upon their lips for the successful issue of an -expedition in which many of them are but too painfully interested. - - - -CHAPTER THIRTY. - -THE RAIDERS RETURNED. - -Another ten days have elapsed, and they on the Cerro Perdido are held -there rigorously as ever; a strong guard kept constantly stationed at -both points where it is possible for them to reach the plain. - -In the interval no incident of any note has arisen to vary the monotony -of their lives. One day is just as the other, with little to occupy -them, save the watch by the ravine's head, which needs to be maintained -with vigilance unabated. - -But much change has arisen both in their circumstances and appearance. -With provision wellnigh out, they have been for days on less than half -allowance, and famine has set its stamp on their features. Pallid, -hollow cheeks, with eyes sunken in their sockets, are seen all around; -and some of the weaker ones begin to totter in their steps, till the -place more resembles the grounds of an hospital than an encampment of -travellers. They have miscalculated their resources, which gave out -sooner than expected. - -In this lamentably forlorn condition they are still uncertain as to the -fate of their messenger, their doubts about his safety increasing every -day--every hour. Not that they suppose him to have fallen into the -hands of the Coyoteros. On the contrary, they are convinced of his -having escaped, else some signs of his capture would have been apparent -in the Indian camp, and none such are observed. But other contingencies -may have arisen: an accident to himself, or his horse, delaying him on -the route, if not stopping him altogether. - -Or may it be, as Don Estevan has said, that Colonel Requenes with his -soldiers is absent from Arispe, and there is a difficulty in raising a -force of civilians sufficient for effecting their rescue? - -These conjectures, with many others, pass through their minds, producing -a despondency, now at its darkest and deepest. For at first, in their -impatience, blind to probabilities, they fancied theirs a winged -messenger--a Mercury, who should have brought them succour long since. -That bright dream is passed, and the reaction has set in, gloomy as -shadow of death itself. - -Nor seems there to be much cheer in the camp of their besiegers. They -can look down upon it from a distance near enough to distinguish the -individual forms of the savages, and note all their actions in the open. -Through the telescope can be read even the expressions on their -features, showing that they, too, have their anxieties and -apprehensions; no doubt from the black horse and his rider having got -away from them. - -Their scouts are still observed to come and go. Some are sent -northward, others to the south; the last evidently to look out for the -return of the raiding party gone down the Horcasitas. - -Another day passes, and they are seen coming back, at a pace which -betokens their bringing a report of an important nature. That it is a -welcome one to their comrades in the camp can be told by their shouts of -triumph as they approach. - -Soon after they upon the _mesa_ are made aware of the cause, by seeing -the red marauders themselves coming on towards the camp, in array very -different from that when leaving it. Instead of only their arms and -light equipments, every man of them is now laden with spoil, every horse -besides his rider carrying a load, either on withers or croup. And they -have other horses with them now--a _caballada_--mules, too, all under -pack and burden. - -No, not all. As the long straggling line draws closer to the Cerro, -they on its summit see a number of these animals bearing on their backs -something more than the loot of plundered houses. They see women, most -of them appearing to be young girls. - -As they are conducted on to the camp, and inside its enclosure, Don -Estevan, viewing them through his telescope, can trace upon their -persons, as their features, all the signs and lines proclaiming utter -despair: dresses torn, hair hanging dishevelled, and eyes downcast, with -not a ray or spark of hope in them. - -Others look through the glass, to be pained by the heart-saddening -spectacle; each of the married ones, as he views it, thinking of his own -wife or daughter, in fear their fate may be the same--a fate too horrid -to be dwelt upon in thought, much less to be talked about. - -This day they are not permitted to see more. Twilight is already on, -and night's darkness, almost instantly succeeding, shuts out from their -view everything below. - -But if they see not, they can hear. There are continuous noises in the -camp throughout the rest of the night--cries and joyous ejaculations. -The Coyoteros have made a grand _coup_: much plunder acquired, many -prisoners taken, and pale-faced foes slain, almost to a glut of -vengeance. They are greatly jubilant, and yield themselves to a very -paean of rejoicing, their boasts and exulting shouts at intervals -reverberating along the cliffs. - -It is another night of carousal with them, as that when they first sate -down to the siege; for among the proceeds of their recent maraud are -several pig-skins of _aguardiente_, and this fiery spirit, freely -distributed, excites them almost to madness. - -So loud are their yells, so angrily, vengefully intoned, that they who -listen above begin to fear they may at length become reckless, and, -_coute que coute_, risk the assault so long unattempted. In such -numbers now, feeling their strength, they may hold a little loss light. -Besides, there is still that apprehension from the side of Arispe; it -may further urge them to a desperate deed, which, if not done at once, -must be left undone, and the siege ingloriously abandoned. - -These are but the conjectures of the besieged, who, acting upon them, -keep watch throughout the remainder of the night. Never more wakeful, -seemingly, though never less needed; for up till the hour of dawn, no -assailant is seen approaching the gorge, no sound heard of any one -attempting to scale that steep acclivity. - -Of those fearing that they will try, Pedro Vicente is not among the -number. Endeavouring to give confidence to his doubting companions, he -says, - -"I know the Coyoteros too well to suppose them such fools. Not all the -_aguardiente_ in Sonora will make them mad enough to expose themselves -to our battery of stones. They don't forget our having it here, and -that we're watching their every movement; ready to rain a storm of rocks -on them if they but come under its range. So, _camarados_, keep up -heart and courage! We've nothing more to fear to-day than we had -yesterday. That's hunger, not their spears or scalping-knives." - -Fortified by the _gambusino's_ words, they to whom they are addressed -feel their confidence restored--enough to inspire them with further -patience and endurance. - - - -CHAPTER THIRTY ONE. - -THE RESCUERS EN ROUTE. - -"Son! that's the Lost Mountain, is it?" - -"It is, Colonel." - -"_Gracias a Dios_! Glad we've sighted it at last. How far do you think -we're from it, senorito? Nigh twenty miles, I take it; though it looks -nearer." - -"'Tis all of twenty miles, Colonel; so our guide said when we first saw -it from the place." - -"I can quite believe it. On these high plains distances are very -deceptive; but my experience enables me to judge pretty correctly." - -The dialogue is between Colonel Requenes and Henry Tresillian; the -latter acting as guide to the expedition _en route_ to release those -imprisoned on the Cerro Perdido. Others are beside them; Don Juliano -with his son, the young aide-de-camp, and several officers of the staff; -their escort forming an advanced guard. Not far behind it, the howitzer -battery, followed by the lancer regiment in open order; then Romero's -irregulars, closed by a troop of lancers as rear-guard, completing the -marching column. - -All are at halt, brought to it as soon as the Cerro was sighted. They -have been on march from an early hour by moonlight, and as the sun, now -rising, has lit up the plain afar, the solitary eminence can be clearly -seen. As may be deduced from the young Englishman's words, the point -they have arrived at is the same where the caravan had temporarily come -to a stop--the very spot itself; for close by is the tree bearing the -initials of the _gambusino_. - -"Well, _caballeros_," continues the Colonel, "we've done our best so -far; pray God to good purpose. Let us hope we're in time. I wonder how -it is? What's your thought, Romero?" - -"I have none, Requenes--only hopes that they've held out." - -"I wish," pursues the Colonel, in half soliloquy, "we but knew for -certain; 'twould make an important difference as to how I dispose of my -force. Should they be still there--" - -"Senor Colonel," interposes the youthful guide, "if you'll let me have a -look through your telescope, I think I can settle that point." - -This, as he sees the commanding officer drawing his field-glass from its -case. - -"In welcome, senorito. Here!" and he hands him the telescope. - -Instantly it is brought to his eye, and eagerly--his fingers trembling -as they hold it out. What he hopes to see will tell him that his father -and friends still live; if he sees it not, he will know they are dead; -and _she_, dearer than all, condemned to a fate far worse! - -What a change comes over his countenance almost on the instant of his -raising the glass to his eye! Hitherto grave to apprehension, all at -once it lights joyously up, as from his lips proceed the words, "They're -still on the mountain; Heaven be praised!" - -"If it be so, Heaven deserves praise--all our thanks. But how know you, -senorito?" - -"By the flag!" - -"What flag?" - -"Take the glass, Colonel; look for yourself." - -Receiving back the telescope, and adjusting it to his sight, Requenes -levels it at the Lost Mountain. - -"At the nearest end, up on the summit," pursues Henry Tresillian, -instructingly, "you'll see it. It is the flag of Mexico. Don Estevan -intended to have raised it over his new mine, and had it hoisted yonder -in the hope it might be seen by some white men, and lead to our -situation being made known. It has proved of service now; telling us -our friends are still in the land of the living. If they were not it -wouldn't be there." - -"You're right, senorito, it wouldn't. And it is there--I see it!--yes, -can even make out the national insignia--the eagle and nopal. We may -thank Heaven, indeed." - -"And we do!" exclaims the _ganadero_, raising his hat reverentially, all -following his example. - -A thrill of exultation runs like wildfire backward on to the extremest -rear--a joyous excitement, as the soldiers learn they have not made -their long march in vain, and that the foe is before them, not far oft. -For the banner waving above proclaims the siege still continued, and the -Indians keeping it up. - -"They _are_ there," affirms the Colonel, after gazing some time through -his glass. "I can see the smoke ascending from their camp fires. No -doubt by this they'll be cooking their breakfasts. Well, we won't be in -time to hinder their having that meal; but if they eat dinner this day, -without my leave, I shall be willing to throw up my commission as -colonel of the Zacatecas Lancers. Now, gentlemen!" he adds, turning to -his staff, and summoning his chief officers around him in council of -war, "the enemy is yonder; no doubt of it. 'Tis a question as to how we -should advance upon him. Give your opinion, Major Garcia." - -"How many are there supposed to be, Colonel?" asks the major, a sage, -grizzled veteran. "Our mode of approaching them should much depend upon -that." - -"Unluckily I can't tell," says the Commander-in-chief; "there were -wellnigh five hundred all told when together; but it appears that half -went off on a raid down the Horcasitas, the other half remaining to -carry on the siege. If the raiders are returned and are now among the -besiegers, then we'll have their full force to deal with, and may expect -a sharp fight for it. I know these redskins of old, the band of the -Rattlesnake; though, as our young friend informs me, that worthy has -ceased to exist, and the Vulture reigns in his stead. All the worse for -us, as Zopilote was the master of Cascabel in tactics, cunning, -courage--everything. Never mind, we should only be too glad to meet the -renowned warrior, if but for glory's sake." - -While the Colonel is still speaking a voice is heard to rearward, with -exclamations telling of excitement there. Immediately after a subaltern -officer of the rear-guard advances rapidly to the front, conducting a -strange horseman, whose dress, travel-stained, with the sweat and dust -upon his horse, betokens him just arrived from a journey long and -hurriedly made. A messenger on some errand, which his wan, woebegone -face bespeaks to be of the saddest. - -"Whence come you, _amigo_?" demands the commanding officer, as the -stranger is brought face to face with him. - -"From Nacomori, on the Horcasitas, Senor Colonel," is the answer. - -"On what business?" asks Requenes, more than half divining it. - -"Oh, senor, the Indians have been there; killed scores of our people-- -children as grown men; plundered and burnt our houses; carried off all -our young women; made rack and ruin of everything. I rode to Arispe, -hoping to find you there, but you were gone, and I've hastened hither -after you." - -"What Indians? Where did they come from?" - -"From the north, senor; down the river. Apaches, we thought; but it was -in the night they came upon us, and no one could be sure. When morning -came they had gone off with everything." - -"What night? How long since this occurred?" - -"The night of _Lunes_--just four days ago." - -"The raiding party of the Coyoteros, gentlemen," says the Colonel to his -surrounding. "The time corresponds, the place--everything; and likely -they've got back, and are now by the Cerro yonder. If so, we have -others to rescue beside our own friends; with chastisement to inflict on -the red-handed marauders, to say nothing of revenge. So much the more -reason for our not losing time. Major! order the regiment to close up -and form line. Let the others be drawn in also; I want to say a word to -them." - -With a quickness due to thorough discipline, the lancers are brought -into battle line; not for fight now, but to receive an address. Thrown -forward on one flank, and facing inwards, are the light artillerists; -while on the other in file form are Romero's irregulars. - -Placing himself in a position to be heard by all, the Commander-in-chief -cries out: - -"_Camarados_! at the base of yonder hill, where you see smoke rising, is -the enemy. Apaches--Coyoteros--as we know, knowing them also to be the -cruellest of all the savages that infest our frontier. To say nothing -of the glory gained in conquering them, 'twill be doing humanity a -service to destroy them; and never more than now has there been reason. - -"This gentleman,"--he points to the newly-arrived messenger, still on -horseback and near by--"has brought news of a bloodthirsty massacre they -have just committed at Nacomori, on the Horcasitas, where women, scores, -have been carried off. Like enough they're all over yonder now, and we -may be in time to release these prisoners, and avenge the murders that -have been done. The only fear is of the Indians getting away from us. -Mounted on their swift mustangs, and leaving all encumbrances behind, -that is still possible enough. But to prevent it, I intend dividing my -force, and sending detachments around to intercept and cut off their -retreat on every route they may take. We must deal them a death-blow, -and I now call on you--every man to do his best. Remember how many of -our people, perhaps many of your own relatives, have fallen victims to -the ferocity of these ruthless marauders. Think of the crime we have -just heard of at Nacomori. Think of it, _camarados_, and strike home!" - -An enthusiastic cheer hails the Colonel's speech; and while it is still -ringing commands are issued for the disposition of the advance--the -movement soon after commencing. - - - -CHAPTER THIRTY TWO. - -SUCCOUR IN SIGHT. - -Not an hour of daylight now passes, scarce a minute, without Don Estevan -Villanueva or Robert Tresillian having the telescope to their eyes, -scanning the plain southward. For days this has been their practice, up -to that on which the red marauders are seen returning from their -murderous expedition. - -And on the following morning at earliest dawn the two--Pedro Vicente -along with them--take their stand on an outward projection of the -_mesa_, which commands a view of the _llano_ all round its southern -side, at the same time overlooking the Coyotero camp. - -They have not been long there when, under the first rays of the rising -sun, they see something sparkle which had never been observed by them -before, though in a place with which they are familiar--the same where -they first sighted the Cerro Perdido. Nor is the glancing object a -single one, for there are many shining points as stars in a -constellation. They are visible to the naked eye, for as yet none of -them have looked through the telescope. As Don Estevan is levelling it, -the _gambusino_ says: - -"Looks like the glitter of arms and accoutrements. Pray the Virgin it -be that!" - -"It _is_ that!" cries Don Estevan, at the first glance through the -glass. "Arms, and in the hands of men. I can make out a body of horse -in uniform--soldiers. Requenes and his regiment; he to a certainty. At -length--at last--we may hope to be rescued, and our long imprisonment -brought to an end." - -His words, spoken excitedly and aloud, attract those who are sauntering -near, and soon most upon the _mesa_ come clustering round him. To see -with eyes unaided that metallic sheen, as they eagerly hearken to its -interpretation. Don Estevan, with the telescope still held aloft, goes -on speaking: - -"Yes; 'tis they! I can see they carry lances, by the sun glinting on -the blades above their heads. They can be no other than the Zacatecas -regiment, with my brother-in-law at its head. Your son, Tresillian, is -safe; their being yonder tells of his having reached Arispe. Brave -youth! we all owe him our blessing." - -"And we give him that, with our gratitude!" shouts Pedro Vicente, the -others enthusiastically echoing his words. - -There is a momentary lull, all ears intently listening for what Don -Estevan may next say; which is: - -"They appear to be extending line, and look as if there were a good six -or seven hundred. Ah! now I note there are others besides the lancers-- -a battery of brass guns--that's what's flashing back the sun. And a -body of horsemen, not in uniform. They seem to be at halt. Why and for -what?" - -"Like enough," suggests Tresillian, "they've made out our flag telling -them we are still here. Requenes, with others of his officers, will -have telescopes too, and must see it, as also that smoke over the camp -below. It will tell them our besiegers are there also. That would -cause them to halt--to concert measures for the attack." - -"You're right, Don Roberto, it must be as you say. But now there's a -movement among them. The mass is breaking up into detachments, some -commencing to march to the right, others to the left. Ah! I see it -all: they mean making a surround, cutting off the retreat of our enemy. -_Caramba_! Requenes _is_ a cunning strategist, as I always believed -him." - -With the glass still at his eye, the old soldier can see every movement -made, comprehending all, and explaining them in succession to the -audience around him. A party of lancers, seemingly a squadron, -separating from the main body, moves off to the right, another party of -like strength proceeding in the opposite direction. Then other -detachments follow these, as if to form an enfilading line when the time -comes for it. But the central force remains stationary long after the -flanking parties have been extended, and is only seen to advance when -they are far away. These make wide circuit, evidently designed to -embrace the Coyoteros' camp, and, if need be, the Cerro itself. - -And now they draw nearer till all upon the _mesa_, without any -artificial aid, can see they are men, and as such surely friends -hastening to their rescue. - -To their joy they also perceive that the occupants of the Indian camp -are as yet unaware of what is approaching. Five hundred feet below, -their view is more limited; and long before the soldiers become visible -to them, they above see the latter distinctly, and understand their -strategic scheme. - -Meanwhile the savages are not acting in the ordinary way: signs of -commotion are observable among them, as if some change were intended. -Horses are being caught and caparisoned, while the newly acquired -animals from the Horcasitas are again loaded with the spoils, those that -carried the captives being also made ready for the road. - -The women are themselves seen within the _corral_; as on the evening -before, looking forlorn, every one of them a picture of despair. They -are to be taken they know not whither, but to a place from which they -have no hope of return. Little dream they that friends are so near. - -"What a pity we can't let them know of rescue being at hand!" says Don -Estevan. "They could hear us if we call to them, but some of the -Coyoteros are acquainted with our language, and it would warn them -also." - -"No fear of that," affirms the _gambusino_; "I think I can speak a -tongue that the redskins won't understand, and the women will." - -"What tongue?" asks Don Estevan. - -"The Opata. Some of those girls are _mestizas_, and should know the -lingo of their mothers." - -"Try them with it, then, Don Pedro." - -"With your worship's leave, I will." - -Saying which, the _gambusino_ advances to the outermost edge of the -cliff, and, with all the strength of his lungs, utters some words -altogether unintelligible to those around him, but evidently understood -by the captives below. - -Several of them on hearing it spring suddenly to their feet, looking up -in the direction whence it came, surprised to see men above, hitherto -unobserved by them, and still more to hear speech addressed to -themselves. Hope and joy become mingled with their astonishment, when -the _gambusino_ goes on in the same vernacular to tell them how it is, -and that succour is near. - -Though listening all the while, not one of the Apaches appears to -comprehend a word of what Vicente is saying. They suppose it a mere -expression of sympathy; and, without giving heed to it, proceed with -their preparations for departure. They are evidently bent upon this, -though it may be but the raiders about to continue on to their home in -Apacheria. Still, other signs seem to indicate a general clearing out -of the camp; for now the whole _caballada_ of horses are being brought -in saddled and bridled, while everything portable in the way of goods is -turned out within the _corral_, packed as if for transportation. - -And in reality it is their intention to abandon both camp and siege, -though reluctantly, and hating to surrender a chance of revenge that had -seemed so sure and near. But they have had enough to content them for -the time, and there is a fear which forces them to forego it. Ever -since Henry Tresillian escaped them they have been nervously -apprehensive, correctly surmising him a messenger. He must long since -have reached Arispe, and may at any moment reappear, guiding back a -force sufficient to overwhelm them. - -While yet unrecovered from their night's carousal, it is as the -fulfilment of a dream, their worst apprehensions realised, as they -behold coming towards them, though still far off, a body of men, -uniformed and in serried array, with pennoned lances borne aloft! - -The sight is not so much a surprise, neither does it produce a panic; -for they who approach seem not in such numbers as to overawe them. The -detached parties sent around are not within their view, and with their -habitual contempt for the Mexican _soldados_, they make light of those -that are, imagining them under a mistake--advancing upon an enemy whose -strength they have underrated. - -The error is their own; but, misled by it, they resolve to ride out, -meet the pale-faced foemen, and anticipate their attack. Their chief so -commands it. - -Quick as thought every warrior is upon his horse, gun or spear in hand; -they, too, in military formation--line of battle--pressing forward to -the encounter, the sentries alone left on post. - - - -CHAPTER THIRTY THREE. - -THE THUNDER GUNS. - -As is their custom, the savages advance with loud cries and gestures of -menace, intended to terrify their antagonists. - -They have got several miles out from the mountain, and almost within -charging distance, when they see that which brings them to sudden halt-- -a thing above all others dreaded by the American aboriginal--cannon -"thunder guns"--as they call them. The brass howitzers, hitherto -screened by the vanguard of cavalry, have been thrown to the front, -instantly unlimbered, and so brought under their eyes. Then a flash, a -vomiting of flame and smoke, a loud ringing report, followed by the -hurtling of a shell in its flight through the air. It drops in their -midst and instantly explodes, its severed fragments dealing death -around. - -Too much this for Coyotero courage; and without waiting for other like -destructive missiles to follow, they turn tail and gallop back towards -the camp. Not that they have any hope of safety there, for they believe -the great thunder guns can reach them anywhere, and their flight towards -it is but the impulse of a confused fear. - -The sentries, seeing them in retreat, alike frightened by the report of -the howitzers, forsake their posts, each hastening towards a horse--his -own. - -For a time the captive women are unguarded, seemingly forgotten. It -gives the _gambusino_ a cue; and, acting upon it, he again calls out as -before in the Opata tongue, - -"Sisters! now's your time! Up and out of the _corral_; make round to -the lake, fast as you can run, and on into the ravine. There you'll -find friends to meet you." - -Listening to his counsel, as one the captive women resolve to act upon -it; for they are now cognisant of what is going on, and fully comprehend -the situation. - -The result, a rush out of the enclosure all together, and a race round -to the spot indicated by that friendly voice above. - -They reach it, to find there the man himself, with over two-score others -around him. For the _gambusino_, seeing how things stood, and that the -besiegers had their hands full elsewhere, has hurried down the gorge, -all the fighting men of the miners' party along with him. - -It is but a moment to place the escaped captives behind the rocks -standing thick all around; then, screening themselves by the same, they -await the coming of the savages. But these come not; enough have they -to do looking out for their own safety. The howitzers, now near, are -belching forth their bombs, that burst here and there, dealing death in -their ranks. - -With the redskins it is no longer a question of resistance or fight, but -flight, _sauve qui peut_. And without thought of taking along with them -either spoils or captives, they deem it enough if they can but save -their own lives. - -They are all on horseback now, their chief at their head, who in loud -command calls upon them to follow him--not to the charge, but in -retreat. - -First they flee northward; but short is their ride in that direction. -Scarce have they commenced it, when they see in front of them a body of -horse, seemingly numerous as that they are retreating from. - -Shall they meet it, or turn back? The thunder guns are still more than -a mile from the abandoned camp, and they will have time to repass it. - -Promptly deciding to do so, they wheel round and gallop back, _ventre a -terre_; not slowing pace nor drawing rein till they have reached the -western elbow of the lake. Then only coming to a stop perforce at sight -of still another party of palefaces there to confront them. - -Intercepted, threatened on every side by a far superior force, they now -know themselves in a trap. Panic stricken, they would surrender and cry -for quarter, but well are they aware it would not be given. So, as -wolves brought to bay, they at length determine on fighting--to the -death. - -For many of them, death it is. Beset on all sides, in the midst of a -circle of fire, bombs exploding and bullets raining through their ranks, -they make but a despairing resistance; which ends in half their number -being killed and the other half taken prisoner. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -The rescuers are now in possession of the camp, animals, everything. -But the first to reach the bottom of the ravine is he who has guided -them thither, Henry Tresillian; there to receive a shower of thanks and -blessings, his father pressing him to his bosom, which alike beats with -joy and pride. And the _gambusino_ embraces him, too, crying out, - -"I see you've brought back my saddle, senorito; and after the service it -has done, I hope you'll never consent to part with it. Bridle and -saddle both, I make you a present of them; which I trust you'll do me -the honour to accept." - -This draws the attention of all upon Crusader standing by, who in turn -becomes the recipient of an ovation. - -But his young master stays not to witness it. Up on the summit is one -who occupies all his thoughts, claiming him now; and up bounds he with -lighter heart than he ever before made that ascent. - -"Henrique!" - -"Gertrudes!" are the exchanged exclamations of the youthful lovers, as -they become locked in each other's arms, their lips meeting in a kiss of -rapturous joy. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -All congratulations over, the corralled wagons are once more in -possession of their owners. Scarce any damage has been done to the -mining machinery or tools; the Indians, from neglect or ignorance of -their uses, not having thought it worth while to destroy them. And for -the animals and chattels they had carried off, there is ample -compensation in those now taken from them--enough to furnish the wagons -with fresh teams, re-establish the pack-train, in short, put the caravan -in order for resuming the march. Which it does, after a couple of days -spent in getting things into condition for the route, when it continues -on to its original destination, the _gambusino_ still with it as guide. - -On the same day Requenes starts out on return to Arispe, taking the -Coyotero prisoners along with him; while Don Juliano and his valiant -_vaqueros_ charge themselves with the task of restoring the women of -Nacomori to their homes. - -When all are gone, and the Lost Mountain again left to tranquillity and -solitude, it is for days the scene of a spectacle telling of the -terrible strife which had occurred. The wolves and coyotes have -gathered from afar, and over the bodies of the slain savages left -unburied, with those of their horses killed in the encounter, hold riot -and revel. - -There, too, are the black vultures, some in the air, some on the ground, -in flocks so thick as to darken both earth and sky. They anticipated a -plenteous repast--they have not been disappointed. - - - -CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR. - -AT THE ALTAR. - -The last scene of our tale lies in the _pueblita_ of Santa Gertrudes; a -mining village chiefly supported by the _minera_ bearing the same name, -whose works, with the specialities of crushing-sheds, smelting-houses, -and tall chimneys, are seen just outside its suburbs. - -All have a modern look, as well they may. On the ground where they -stand, but three years before grew a thick _chapparal_ of mezquite, -cactus, yucca, and other plants characteristic of desert vegetation. -For Santa Gertrudes is in the very heart of the Sonora desert, remote -from any other civilised settlement. - -Its prosperity, however, has attracted settlers; for not only does the -population of the village itself receive constant increase, but many -fertile tracts in the country around have been taken up, and are -occupied by a goodly number of graziers and agriculturists, whose chief -purpose is to supply the comestibles required by the miners and their -dependants. - -The growth of Santa Gertrudes has been remarkably rapid, almost -unprecedently so. From the first opening of the mine, every vein worked -has proved a _bonanza_, enriching the owners, Don Estevan Villanueva and -Robert Tresillian. For it is the _vela_ discovered, denounced, and made -over to them by Pedro Vicente. - -The gold-seeker himself has also become rich, by the conditions already -mentioned as attached to the conveyance of the property. In short, all -concerned have benefited thereby--every one of that travelling party -delayed, with lives endangered, on the summit of the Cerro Perdido. - -In and around Santa Gertrudes--name bestowed in honour of the Senora -Villanueva and her daughter, or rather their patroness saint--is every -evidence of advancement. The cottages of the miners are trim and clean, -the shops that supply them showing an abundance of goods, even to -articles of _luxe_ and adornment. A pretty _capella_, with spire and -belfry, stands central by the side of the public square, for, as in all -Spanish-American towns, Santa Gertrudes has its _plaza_. - -Two other sides of the same are occupied by houses of superior -pretension, with ornamental grounds--the respective residences of Don -Estevan and his English partner--while here and there a house larger and -better than the common denotes the dwelling of an official of the -_minera_, some head of a department. - -On this day Santa Gertrudes is _en fete_. Its _plaza_ is full of -people; the miners in their gala dresses, and, mingling with them, -_rancheros_--the new settlers from the country around--resplendent in -their picturesque costume. Soldiers, too, mix with the crowd, in the -gay uniform of the Zacatecas Lancers. For Colonel Requenes and his -regiment, on return from an expedition to the northern frontier, have -halted at the _pueblita_, and are encamped on the plain outside. The -tall chimneys of the _minera_ send forth no smoke, no sound proceeds -from the crushing-sheds or the smelting-houses; all is silent, and work -suspended as if it were a Sunday. - -Different with the _capilla_, from whose belfry comes a continual -clanging of bells--merry bells--marriage bells. Nor needs any one -telling who are to be wedded. All know that the owners are about to -enter into relations different from that of a mere commercial -partnership; that Gertrudes Villanueva is about to become the wife of -Henry Tresillian. - -The hour for the happy union has at length arrived, and from the two -grand houses on the _plaza_ issue the bride and bridegroom--each with -their train of attendants--and take their way to the _capella_, amidst -the enthusiastic plaudits of the assembled people, who cry out: - -"_Viva la novia linda! Viva el novio valiente_--_nuestro Salvador_!" -(Long live the beautiful bride! Long live the gallant bridegroom--our -saviour!) - -Inside the church the ceremony proceeds, relatives and friends from afar -assisting at it; among them Don Juliano Romero, and of course, also, -Colonel Requenes. And there is one present who not only disapproves of -the marriage, but would forbid it, were it only in his power. This the -young cornet of lancers, Colonel Requenes' aide-de-camp, now a captain, -who stands among the spectators, with an expression upon his features -telling of a heart torn with jealousy. - -How different is that on the face of Pedro Vicente, luminous with -delight! Joyed and proud is he to see his young _protege_ of the chase -attain the desire of his heart, in its fullest happiness. - -The procession returns to the house of the bride's father, followed by -the crowd, again vociferating, "_Viva la novia linda! Viva el novio -valiente_!" - -Then the pre-arranged sports of the day commence on a grassy plain -outside the _pueblita_. There is _correr el gallo_ (running the cock), -_colear el toro_ (baiting the bull), with other feats of equitation, in -which Crusader bears a conspicuous part. Ridden by a famous _domidor_-- -his owner for once but a looker-on--the beautiful black wins every -prize, in speed outstripping all horses on the ground. - -The Lancer band makes music in accompaniment; and over an improvised -pavilion, ornamented with evergreens, in which stand the chief -spectators, waves the national flag--that same bit of bunting which, -three years before, was run up as a signal of distress on the *Lost -Mountain*. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -THE END. - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lost Mountain, by Mayne Reid - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LOST MOUNTAIN *** - -***** This file should be named 35649.txt or 35649.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/6/4/35649/ - -Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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