but he did not wake or tell 'Tonio. 'Tonio
was a wicked Indian, who twice tried to kill Lieutenant Willett. 'Tonio
should be hanged. 'Tonio's people hated Sanchez, because he "always
friend to the Big Chief Crook and the Americanos." 'Tonio knew where to
find him, it seems, and set Lieutenant Harris to catch him. Now, said
Sanchez, if Big Chief only would let him go he would bring in two,
three 'Patchie-Mohaves, 'Tonio's own people, who saw 'Tonio shoot and
try to kill Teniente Willett--saw him shoot and club, shoot twice.
Sanchez called on the Blessed Virgin and all the saints to witness his
innocence, his entire truth, and the chief, with just one gesture of
disbelief and disgust, turned quietly away.

"You may as well tell him, Wickham," said he, and, with Bright at his
side, strode back to head-quarters hill, leaving Strong and his senior
aide to settle the matter.

"You damned fool!" said Blackbeard contemptuously. "It wasn't 'Tonio;
it was your own people gave you up. It wasn't 'Tonio; it was your own
brother shot Teniente Willett. His own revolver was found at the spot.
Your own people say he did it!"

"Lie! Lie!" shrieked Sanchez, livid from fright and amaze. "Jose no
have pistol that night. Jose lose him to Case--monte--two days before!
_Case_ shoot him! _Case_ shoot him! Munoz see him. 'Patchie-Mohave see
him! Look, Senor Capitan, I bring them all--all say so."

"I thought we'd be getting at bottom facts before we finished with our
greaser gang," said Wickham, with no symptom of either surprise or
emotion. "Very good, Sanchez. We'll give you the chance to swear to it
and bring your witnesses. Take him in, sergeant, and keep this to
yourself. Now bring out Dooley."

Half an hour later, just as the midnight call of the sentries was going
the rounds, Hal Willett, after whispered words of good-night to a tall
and slender shadow at Darrah's door, came swiftly up the steps of his
new quarters, and was surprised to find a little group at the adjoining
veranda. Two civilians were there, one of whom he knew to be the
sheriff. Strong was there and Wickham was giving some instructions in
low tone to the three.

"You start at dawn," were the words that caught Willett's ear, "and you
should have him at Prescott within the week. Sure you need no further
escort?"

"Sure," was the sententious answer of the tall civilian, as he
sauntered to the steps.

"What is it?" asked Willett, at a venture.

"Just a flyer, Wil