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Updated: May 31, 2025
"If it were anybody else now but old Gwynne," he muttered to himself, "things wouldn't be so mixed, but he never did have any horse sense and now has run us into this scrape and it's a bad one or I'm no judge." Then he glanced over his shoulder again. Manuelito was shuffling about the fire apparently doing nothing.
"He's all right, little man," answered Pike, smiling cheerfully up at the bright boy face, though the old soldier's heart was heavy as lead. "He's all right. He's down looking after the mules with Manuelito. You and Nellie hungry? I'll get you some breakfast presently, but better let old Kate sleep as long as she can." "I'd like to come out, corporal, and look around," whispered Ned.
There's nothing the matter with the wagon that's all right, but that whelp Manuelito has run off with the mules and the captain's put out after him. It'll be daylight soon and he'll get the son of a gun sure, and then hurry back to join us; but the wagon lies just where I think you and I can start it down the road and fetch it nearer camp.
Manuelito undoubtedly had a strain of sporting blood in his veins, as he offered to stake his horses, blankets, squaws, and everything he had against the Mexican's wagons and cargo.
Knowing, as did Pike, that Manuelito was well acquainted with the short cut through the mountains down to the valley of the Verde, miles to the south of the winding and roundabout way on which they were compelled to come by road; knowing, too, that this trail was far to the south of where they had seen the Indians' signal fires, Gwynne's whole idea seemed to be that Manuelito would take the shortest line to reach that rough but easily known trail.
"Quick, Jim, give me the lantern," he called, and in a moment the glimmering light went bounding down the rocky trail, back to the road. And there the two soldiers met Pike trotting up rapidly from the west, the captain swinging his lantern in the Pass. "Where's Manuelito?" was the fierce demand. "Gone, sir. Gone and taken the mules with him. The wagon's back there four hundred yards up the road."
This night we experienced a repetition of the tactics of the night before, as regarded the safety of our herd, but Don Juan had to pay a higher ransom in the morning. While we were awaiting the arrival of the Indians with our lost steers, Chief Manuelito honored us again with his presence.
Gregg and I have 'stalked' them many a time and the country is all flat and open for six miles back." "I wish the captain would stay here and let me go," pleaded Pike. "No! I'm never satisfied without seeing for myself. You and Manuelito will have your arms in constant readiness, and watch for me as I come back. There's no moon no light but so much the better for my purpose.
Then, with one more look at the coming foe, poor Pike turned, with almost a groan of misery and anxiety, gave "Gregg" one touch of the spur and a flip of the reins, and away he flew at full speed back to his duty at the Pass. One minute he reined in as he neared the gorge to note the direction taken by Manuelito.
Take the side lines off Gregg and saddle him for me at once. I have work to do." The Mexican could hardly believe in his escape. For the time being, at least, he stood safe. It would be easy enough later to "lose" the telltale side line in the waters of the lake. Manuelito cursed his folly in having used the knife at all. Haste prompted that piece of bad judgment.
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