at sort they air. White men tho' they call themselves,
I'd a'most as soon meet Injuns. They'd be sure to take us for Texans;
and 'bout me there'd be no mistake in that. But they'd treet you the
same, an' thar treetment ain't like to be civil. Pull yur mule well
back among the bushes. Let's blind the brutes, or they may take it into
their heads to squeal."

The hybrids are led back into the grove, tied, and _zapadoed_--the last
operation performed by passing a blanket, mask fashion, over their eyes.
This done, the two men return to the edge of the copse, keeping
themselves screened behind the outstanding trees.

In their absence the moving cohort has drawn nearer, and still advances.
But slowly, and, as when first sighted, enveloped in a cloud of dust.
Only now and then, as the wind wafts this aside, can be distinguished
the forms of the individuals composing it. Then but for an instant, the
dust again drifting around them.

Still the _nimbus_ draws nigher, and is gradually approaching the spot
where the travellers had concealed themselves.

At first only surprised at seeing soldiers on the Staked Plain, they
soon become seriously alarmed. The troop is advancing towards the
black-jack grove, apparently intending it for a place of bivouac; if so,
there will be no chance for them to escape observation. The soldiers
will scatter about, and penetrate every part of the copse. Equally idle
to attempt flight on their slow-footed animals, pursued by over two
score of cavalry horses.

They can see no alternative but surrender, submit to be made prisoners,
and receive such treatment as their captors may think fit to extend to
them.

While thus despairingly reflecting, they take note of something that
restores their disturbed equanimity. It is the direction in which the
Mexicans are marching. The cloud moving in slow, stately progress does
not approach any nearer to the copse. Evidently the horsemen do not
design halting there, but will ride past, leaving it on their left.

They are, in truth, passing along the same path from which the
travellers have late deflected; only in the counter direction.

Now, for the first time, a suspicion occurs to Hamersley, shared by the
Texan, giving both far greater uneasiness than if the soldiers were
heading direct towards them.

It is further intensified as a fresh spurt of the desert wind sweeps the
dust away, displaying in clear light the line of marching horsemen. No
q