orses, were brought in.

Jack, rather ashamed of his suspicions on the previous night, thanked
the mayor warmly. Eight of the troopers took each a led horse. The four
countrymen in charge of the wagons shouted to their oxen, and the party
moved out from Estrella.

"There are very few men about the village, Mr. Stilwell," the sergeant
said, as Jack reined back his horse to speak to him. "Did you notice
that, sir?"

"Yes," Jack said; "I did notice it; for except a few old men and boys,
there were none but women and children gathered round or standing at
their door. There were plenty of men about yesterday; but perhaps they
have all gone up to work in the fields; however, we will keep our eyes
open. You had best ride forward, sergeant, to the two men in front and
tell them to keep a sharp lookout."

They were proceeding only at a slow walk in order to keep pace with the
wagons, and it was an hour and a half after leaving Estrella before they
entered the hills.

Jack noticed that although many women and girls could be seen working in
the fields, not a man was in sight.

"It is curious, sergeant, that there are no men about, and I can't help
thinking that all is not right. Do you take four men with you and ride
straight on through that nasty narrow valley we noticed as we came. Keep
a sharp lookout on both sides, for there are rocks enough on those hills
to hide an army."

Jack halted the detachment when the scouting party went forward. In
three quarters of an hour the sergeant returned with his men, saying
that he had ridden right through the valley and could see no signs of
life whatever.

"Very well, sergeant, then we will proceed. But we will do so in groups.
If we are to be attacked in that valley, we could make no fight of it
were we ten times as many as we are; and if we must be caught, they
shall have as few of us as possible; therefore, let a corporal with four
men go on a good quarter of a mile ahead, so that he will be past the
worst part before the next body enter. Then do you take ten men and go
next. I will follow you at the same distance with the other five men and
the wagons. Order the corporal if attacked to ride through if possible;
if not, to fall back to you. Do you do the same. If you are nearly
through the valley when you are attacked, dash straight forward. I shall
see what is going on, and will turn and ride back with my party, and
making a sweep round through the flat country find my way ba