ding down
into a broad valley. There were no signs of habitations, until we rounded
the edge of a small grove, and came suddenly upon a little village of a
dozen houses on either side the highway. These were wrapped in darkness,
apparently deserted, shapeless appearing structures, although I thought
one had the appearance of a tavern, and another seemed a store. There was
a well in front of this last, and water sparkled in a log trough beside
it. My horse stopped, burying his nostrils in the water, and, suddenly
made aware of my own thirst, I swung, down from the saddle. My hands were
upon the well-rope when, without warning, I was gripped from behind, and
flung down into the dirt of the road. I made desperate effort to break
away, but two men held me, one with knee pressed into my chest, the other
uplifting the butt of a pistol over my head. There was not a word spoken,
but I could see they were in uniform, although the fellow kneeling on me
had the features and long black hair of an Indian. My horse started to
bolt, but his rein was gripped, and then a third figure, mounted, rode
into the range of my vision.

"Search him for weapons, Tonepah," said a boyish voice briefly. "There
are pistols in the saddle holsters, but he may have others. Then tie him
up as quick as you can."

There was no mistaking my captors--the young dragoon lieutenant, and the
three who had escaped with him. But why had they ridden in this
direction? What object could they have in thus attacking me? They
afforded me little opportunity for solving these problems. Had I been a
bale of tobacco I could not have been treated with less ceremony, the
white man unclasping my belt, while the Indian, with a grunt, flung me
over on my face, and began binding hands and feet. I kicked him once,
sending him tumbling backward, but he only came back silently, with more
cruel twist of the rope, while the boy laughed, bending over his horse's
neck.

"Hoist him up on the black, lads," he said shortly, reining back out of
the way. "Delavan's horse, isn't it? Yes, tie his feet underneath, and
one of you keep a hand on the reins. Peter, you and Cass ride with him. I
want Tonepah with me. All ready? We'll take the east road."

Some one struck the horse, and he plunged forward, swerving sharply to
the right in response to the strong hand on his bit. I swayed in the
saddle, but the bonds held, and we went loping forward into the night.

CHAPTER XIII

INTRODUC