on horseback--but further up, it
opened into a little plain or _vallon_, as the Mexican termed it,
completely girt in by mountains. These on all sides rose so
precipitously from the plain, as to render it impossible for a mounted
man to scale them. The trapper had himself been obliged to return by
the gorge--after having vainly endeavoured to find a way leading outward
above. The vallon was therefore a _cul-de-sac_; or, as the trapper in
his native synonyme called it, a _bolson_. Our guide was of opinion
that this _bolson_ would serve as a hiding-place, until we could rest
our horses. He was confident that the entrance of the ravine was not
far from where we had halted; and, moreover, that he should be able to
find it without difficulty. His advice, therefore, was, that we should
seek the gorge; and, having found it, ride up into the vallon, and there
remain, till the following night. The pursuit might pass in the
meantime, and return again; but whether or not, our animals would then
be rested; and even should we again encounter the pursuers we might hope
to escape, through the superior speed of our horses.

The plan was feasible. There was but one objection that struck me; and
I offered it for the consideration of our guide. The _vallon_ as he had
stated, was a _cul-de-sac_. Should we be _tracked into it_, there would
be no chance of retreat: we should be taken as in a trap?

"_Carrambo_!" exclaimed the Mexican, in answer to my suggestion, "no
fear of being tracked by such curs as they. They know nothing of that
business. Not one of their whole fraternity could follow the trace of a
buffalo in snow-time. _Carrambo_! No."

"There is one who could," I replied; "one who could follow a feebler
trail than ours."

"What! A _rastreador_ among these _Judios_! Who, _cavallero_?"

"Their father!" I whispered the reply, so that neither of the girls
should overhear it.

"Oh! true," muttered the Mexican--"the father of the huntress--a hunter
himself? _Carrai_! that's like enough. But no matter. I can take you
up the gorge in such fashion, that the most skilled _rastreador_ of the
prairies would never suspect we had passed through. Fortunately, the
ground is favourable. The bottom of the little canon is covered with
cut rocks. The hoof will leave no mark upon these."

"Remember that some of our horses are shod: the iron will betray us?"

"No, senor, we shall muffle them: _nos vamos con los pies en med