these betokened fierce feelings of revenge; others indicated the
desire of plunder; and others still spoke, fiend-like, of murder! There
had been mutterings of this from day to day as we journeyed. Men
disappointed in their golden dreams had been heard to talk about the
price of scalps!

By a command from Seguin the hunters drew back among the trees, and
entered into a hurried council. How was the town to be taken? We could
not approach it in the open light. The inhabitants would see us before
we could ride up, and make their escape to the forest beyond. This
would defeat the whole purpose of our expedition.

Could not a party get round to the eastern end of the valley and prevent
this? Not through the plain itself, for the mountains rested upon its
surface, without either foothills or paths along their sides. In some
places vast cliffs rose to the height of a thousand feet, stepping
directly upon the level plain. This idea was given up.

Could we not turn the southern sierra, and come in through the forest
itself? This would bring us close to the houses under cover. The guide
was questioned, and answered in the affirmative. But that could only be
accomplished by making a detour of nearly fifty miles. We had no time
for such a journey, and the thought was abandoned.

The town, then, must be approached in the night. This was the only plan
practicable; at least, the most likely to succeed. It was adopted.

It was not Seguin's intention to make a night attack, but only to
surround the buildings, keeping at some distance out, and remain in
ambush till the morning. All retreat would thus be cut off, and we
should make sure of taking our captives under the light of day.

The men threw themselves to the ground, and, holding their bridles,
waited the going down of the sun.

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN.

THE NIGHT AMBUSCADE.

A short hour passes. The bright orb sinks behind us, and the quartz
rock saddens into a sombre hue. The straggling rays of twilight hover
but a moment over the chalky cliffs, and then vanish away. It is night.

Descending the hills in a long string, we arrive upon the plain. We
turn to the left, and keep round the mountain foot. The rocks guide us.

We proceed with caution, and exchange our words only in whispers. We
crawl around and among loose boulders that have fallen from above. We
turn many spurs that shoot out into the plain. Occasionally we halt and
hold council.