sion in camp--men who insist that 'Tonio's a trump. And
now we have news from Harris, and he demands investigation, in 'Tonio's
name--says there's a side to the story only 'Tonio can tell, and will
tell only to the Big Chief."

Strong pondered a moment. "There's more than one queer thing we can't
fathom at Almy," said he. "Harris and 'Tonio never had anything to do
with that Sanchez crowd. 'Tother Sanchez, and Munoz, helped the chase
of 'Tonio--did their best to catch him, and yet over at McDowell
they're thick as thieves."

"Not a bit of it! They never saw each other until--well, somebody made
Brown believe the general would censure his showing favors to 'Tonio,
so what does he do but order him in with Sanchez. That night both get
away. Then 'Patchie's own people brought him back for cash. There isn't
money or blood enough in all Arizona to tempt them to lay hands on
'Tonio. Sanchez wants to talk with the general, says he can tell things
the chief would like to know. Can he?"

"How should I know?" asked Strong. "There's more of a mix in this
business than I can straighten out. It looks to me as though more than
one man had his grudge against this fine feathered bird that came down
to show us how to tackle Apaches," and Bright changed the subject, as
was his way when men or women ventured to question the methods of the
Powers. All the same, he told his general of Strong's suspicions, and
that night the general summoned both Sanchez and Strong, and there was
a scene in the moonlight, down by the old log guard-house.

Sanchez, heavily shackled and scared almost out of his wits in the
belief that he would speedily be hanged, or shot to death, fell on his
knees at sight of the tall, bearded commander, and strove to seize his
hand. In the indescribable jargon of the Indo-Mexican frontier, he
implored the general's mercy; he wailed that he was a poor and wronged
and innocent man. He had no thought of killing--only inducing the
interpreter to leave him, and the interpreter tried to shoot him. It
was to save his own life he slashed at his guardian and ran, never
knowing he had hurt him. He was frightened at McDowell; thought
soldiers planned to lynch him. He dared not stay. He had filed his
shackles and the window bars, and was watching opportunity to tear them
loose and run, when 'Tonio was put in his cell. That night he saw his
chance, climbed out and slid away to the mountains, just before the
third relief was inspected,