e of a good
animal for their purposes.

Followed by the others, he plunged forward into the darkling woods,
while behind them in the clearing three of the most astonished Mexicans
across the border stood raging inwardly with seething fires, but
outwardly voiceless and helpless as kittens. Thus, by an astonishing
train of circumstances, were our adventurers once more together.

"But how in thunderation----?" began Pete, as they rode forward.

"We'll tell you some other time," broke in Jack. "The main thing now
is to get away from here, for I've a notion that in no very short time
it's going to be mighty unhealthy for gringoes."

"Guess you're right, lad. How're yer makin' out, perfusser?"

"Except for a pain in my ankle, I am getting along very well, thank
you," was the reply.

"Say, he's all wool and a yard wide, even if he does look like a
softy," declared Pete, to himself.

Threading their way through the wood, the fugitives emerged, after some
hard riding, upon the bare hillside. Below them, and some distance
ahead, could be seen the twinkling lights of the village Jack had
noticed the night before, while on their right hands gleamed the
firefly-like lights of the insurrecto camp.

"That must be ther road down thar," said Pete, pointing. "What d'ye
say, ef we cut inter it below ther camp?"

"And ride into the village?" asked Ralph.

"Not to any vast extent, lad," rejoined the cow-puncher. "I'll bet
Ramon and Muddy-hairo, or whatever his name is, hev thet greaser
community purty well tagged with our descriptions by now. No, we'll
hit ther road below the camp, and then swing off afore we hit ther
village. It will beat wanderin' about on these hills, and, besides,
we've got ter hev water an' food purty soon. I'm most tuckered out."

This reminded the others that they, too, were almost exhausted, and it
was agreed by all that Pete's plan was a good one. By keeping to the
road, they might find a hacienda or native hut where they could obtain
refreshments without being asked embarrassing questions.

As they rode along, talking thus in low tones, Coyote Pete suddenly
drew rein. On the dark hillside he loomed for an instant, as fixed and
motionless as an equestrian statue.

"What's the trouble?" asked Ralph.

"Hush, lad. Do you hear something?"

Faintly, very faintly, out of the west came a sound full of sinister
significance.

_Clickety-clack_! _Clickety-clack_! _Clickety-clack_!

"They'r