that run into the _canon_, a detour must be made of
not less than ten miles in length. Beyond the canon--the trace once
more returns to the stream.

The notes of a military reconnoissance had forewarned me of this
deviation; and, furthermore, that the trace passes over a ridge
altogether destitute of timber. To follow it, therefore, in the broad
light of day, would expose our little party to view. If hostile Indians
should be hanging after the caravan, they would be sure to see us, and
equally certain to make an attack upon us; and from the traces we had
noticed at the night-camp--to say nothing of what Wingrove had seen--we
knew there were Indians in the valley. They might not be hostile; but
the chances were ten to one that they were; and, under this supposition,
it would be imprudent in us to risk crossing the ridge before nightfall.
There were two alternatives: to remain under the timber till after
sunset, and then proceed by night; or to push on into the canon, and
endeavour to make our way along the bed of the stream. So far as we
knew, the path was an untried one; but it might be practicable for
horses. We were now on the most dangerous ground we had yet trodden--
the highway of several hostile tribes, and their favourite
_tenting-place_, when going to, or returning from, their forays against
the half-civilised settlements of New Mexico.

The proximity of the caravan--which we calculated to be about ten miles
ahead of us--only increased our risk. There was but little danger of
the Indians attacking that: the train was too strong, even without the
escort. But the probability was, that a band of Indian horse-thieves
would be skulking on its skirts--not to make an attack upon the caravan
itself but as wolves after a gang of buffalo, to sacrifice the
stragglers. Unless when irritated by some hostile demonstration, these
robbers confine themselves to plundering: but in the case of some,
murder is the usual concomitant of plunder.

The delay of another night was disheartening to all of us--but
especially so to myself, for reasons already known. If we should
succeed in passing through the canon, perhaps on the other side we might
come in sight of the caravan? Cheered on by this prospect, we hesitated
no longer; but hastening forward, entered between the jaws of the
defile. A fearful chasm it was--the rocky walls rising perpendicularly
to the height of many hundreds of feet--presenting a grim _facade_ on