he descended the ladder with
his daughter.

A signal was given; and shortly after the mules, in charge of the
arrieros, came stringing across the plain.

"Collect all the dry meat that can be found. Let it be packed as
speedily as possible."

In front of most of the houses there were strings of tasajo hanging
against the walls. There were also dried fruits and vegetables, chile,
roots of the kamas, and skin-bags filled with pinons and choke-berries.

The meat was soon brought together, and several of the men assisted the
arrieros in packing it.

"There will be barely enough," said Seguin. "Here, Rube," continued he,
calling to the old trapper; "pick out your prisoners. Twenty will be as
many as we can take. You know them: chose those most likely to tempt an
exchange."

So saying, the chief turned off towards the atajo, leading his daughter
with the intention of mounting her on one of the mules.

Rube proceeded to obey the orders given him. In a short time he had
collected a number of unresisting captives, and had put them aside from
the rest. They were principally girls and young lads, whose dress and
features bespoke them of the noblesse of the nation, the children of
chiefs and warriors.

This movement was not regarded in silence. The men had drawn together,
and commenced talking in loud and mutinous language.

"Wagh!" exclaimed Kirker, a fellow of brutal aspect; "thar are wives
apiece, boys: why not every man help himself? Why not?"

"Kirker's right," Rejoined another; "and I've made up my mind to have
one, or bust."

"But how are ye goin' to feed 'em on the road? We ha'n't meat if we
take one apiece."

"Meat be hanged!" ejaculated the second speaker; "we kin reach the Del
Norte in four days or less. What do we want with so much meat?"

"There's meat a-plenty," rejoined Kirker. "That's all the captain's
palaver. If it runs out we kin drop the weemen, and take what o' them's
handiest to carry."

This was said with a significant gesture, and a ferocity of expression
revolting to behold.

"Now, boys! what say ye?"

"I freeze to Kirker."

"And I."

"And I."

"I'm not goin' to advise anybody," added the brute. "Ye may all do as
ye please about it; but this niggur's not a-goin' to starve in the midst
o' plenty."

"Right, comrade! right, I say."

"Wal. First spoke first pick, I reckin. That's mountain law; so, old
gal, I cottons to you. Come along, will yer?"

Saying this, h