Part 14 (2/2)

”Hit the trail!” cried Snake, when preparations were complete.

Off in the distance, hungrily waiting for the signal that would let them return, stood Del Pinzo and his gang. Their food was not disturbed. They had the means for making breakfast.

Off rode Snake and his followers. At a distance of little more than half a mile from the scene of the fighting, on a rising hill, the cowboy stopped.

”Here's where we let 'em go back and eat,” he said grimly.

He raised his gun and fired a shot. Instantly the gang, with Del Pinzo in the lead, rushed for the place where their property had been left.

”We spiked their guns, I think,” chuckled Bud, as he rode beside his cousins.

”I guess yes!” laughed Nort.

Forward they rode once more--on the trail of the Yaquis. As they dipped down into a little valley there came to their ears faint yells of rage.

”They've found their saddles gone!” said Nort.

Again came a shout.

”They've missed their bridles!” said d.i.c.k.

A louder yell!

”No guns!” shouted Bud. ”Oh, this is one time we put it all over Del Pinzo!”

Forward rode the outfit from Diamond X.

CHAPTER XIII

WEARY CAPTIVES

”Rosemary, are you able to stand it?” Floyd put this question to his sister as the weary captives were urged along the trail by the Yaquis.

”We've just _got_ to stand it, Floyd,” was the brave answer. ”Help must come to us, and we must bear up until it does come.”

”Oh, I can stand it all right--I really don't mind. But for you--it must be terrible! And the worst of it is I can't do a thing to help you.”

”Not now, no, Floyd,” Rosemary answered, with a brave attempt at a smile. ”But we must watch our chance. These Mexican Indians aren't like our own--or like our own used to be. They aren't half as smart.

We ought to be able to escape from them if we get half a chance.”

”Well, maybe, Rosemary. But they're bad enough if they aren't smart.”

Floyd spoke with all the evidence on his side. For a more disreputable, unsavory, desperate and wicked band of men it would be almost impossible to find. Repulsive in face, dirty, tattered and torn, wearing all sorts of cast off garments, a few in blankets, astride bony and broken horses, most of them, but each one armed with gun, revolver or knife, it was a crew of pirates, cut-throats, highwaymen to be carefully shunned.

”Well, I'm glad to see you keeping your courage up, Rosemary,” remarked her brother, trying to ease himself in the saddle. It was not very feasible, as the captives were partly tied to prevent their escape, and they could not s.h.i.+ft about as they pleased.

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