s a call uttered in the voice of the earless
trapper. The mustang recognised it; and instead of running forward,
obedient to the guidance of her rider, she wheeled suddenly and came
galloping back. At this moment a shot fired at the savage scorched her
hip, and, setting back her ears, she commenced squealing and kicking so
violently that all her feet seemed to be in the air at the same time.

The Indian now endeavoured to fling himself from the saddle; but the
alternate plunging of the fore and hind quarters kept him for some
moments tossing in a sort of balance. He was at length pitched outward,
and fell to the ground upon his back. Before he could recover himself a
Mexican had ridden up, and with his long lance pinned him to the earth.

A scene followed in which Rube played the principal character; in fact,
had "the stage to himself."

"Sodger guns" were sent to perdition; and as the old trapper was angry
about the wound which his mare had received, "crook-eyed greenhorns"
came in for a share of his anathemas. The mustang, however, had
sustained no serious damage; and after this was ascertained, the
emphatic ebullitions of her master's anger subsided into a low growling,
and then ceased altogether.

As there appeared no sign that there were other savages in the
neighbourhood, the next concern of the hunters was to satisfy their
hunger. Fires were soon kindled, and a plenteous repast of buffalo meat
produced the desired effect.

After the meal was ended, a consultation was held. It was agreed that
we should move forward to the old mission, which was known to be not
over ten miles distant. We could there defend ourselves in case of an
attack from the tribe of Coyoteros, to which the three savages belonged.
It was feared by all that these might strike our trail, and come up
with us before we could take our departure from the ruin.

The buffaloes were speedily skinned and packed, and taking a westerly
course, we journeyed on to the mission.

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE.

A BITTER TRAP.

We reached the ruin a little after sunset. We frightened the owl and
the wolf, and made our bivouac among the crumbling walls. Our horses
were picketed upon the deserted lawns, and in the long-neglected
orchards, where the ripe fruit was raining down its ungathered showers.
Fires were kindled, lighting the grey pile with their cheerful blazing;
and joints of meat were taken out of the hide-packs and roasted for
supper.