among the rocks. It was the spheroidal cactus. "See!" continued he,
"there are hundreds of them!"

All present knew the meaning of this, and regarded the cacti with a
murmur of satisfaction.

"Comrades!" said Seguin, "it is of no use to weary ourselves. Let those
sleep who can. One can keep watch yonder while another stays up here.
Go, Sanchez!" and the chief pointed down the ravine to a spot that
commanded a view of its mouth.

The sentinel walked off, and took his stand in silence. The rest of us
descended, and after looking to the muffling of our horses, returned to
the station of the vidette upon the hill. Here we rolled ourselves in
our blankets, and, lying down among the rocks, slept out the night.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

We were awake before dawn, and peering through the leaves with feelings
of keen solicitude.

There is no movement in the Indian camp. It is a bad indication. Had
they intended to travel on, they would have been stirring before this.
They are always on the route before daybreak. These signs strengthen
our feelings of apprehension.

The grey light begins to spread over the prairie. There is a white band
along the eastern sky. There are noises in the camp. There are voices.
Dark forms move about among the upright spears. Tall savages stride
over the plain. Their robes of skins are wrapped around their shoulders
to protect them from the raw air of the morning.

They carry faggots. They are rekindling the fires!

Our men talk in whispers, as we lie straining our eyes to catch every
movement.

"It's plain they intend to make a stay of it."

"Ay! we're in for it, that's sartin! Wagh! I wonder how long thar
a-goin' to squat hyar, any how."

"Three days at the least: may be four or five."

"Great gollies! we'll be froze in half the time."

"What would they be doin' here so long? I warrant ye they'll clar out
as soon as they can."

"So they will; but how can they in less time?"

"They can get all the meat they want in a day. See! yonder's buffalo a
plenty; look! away yonder!" and the speaker points to several black
objects outlined against the brightening sky. It is a herd of
buffaloes.

"That's true enough. In half a day I warrant they kin get all the meat
they want: but how are they a-goin' to jirk it in less than three?
That's what I want to know."

"Es verdad!" says one of the Mexicans, a cibolero; "tres dia