d their portion of the corn, and got ready for the road. Once
up the slope Marr cracked his whip, the mules started into a trot, the
horses of the escort broke into a canter, and amid the cheerful
clatter of hoofs and the rattle of wheels we sped on our way as fresh
as if we were just leaving Fort Whipple. A ride of twenty miles
brought us to Tyson's Wells. These were two in number, sunk at an
intersection of several roads leading to settlements and mines, an
accommodation to trains, flocks, and herds, and a profit to the owner.

I learned from Colonel Tyson that immediately upon his arrival Mr.
Gray had hired a wagon to take water and corn to us. He had bargained
for the driver to go until he met us, but the man being prepaid may
account for his not fulfilling his agreement to the letter.

The rest of the day and night was spent at the Wells, the boys and I
taking our supper at the Desert Hotel, kept by the colonel. At the
table, Henry, in a tone of evident anxiety, asked if we should return
the way we came.

"Yes, if we can find a few kegs in La Paz that will hold water," I
answered.

"But we cannot haul kegs enough in the ambulance to supply the
animals."

"It will not be difficult. We will follow the army custom in such
cases, and I will promise you that there will be no suffering from
thirst when we cross the desert again."

Just as we were preparing for bed Mr. Hudson arrived from La Paz. He
informed me that Texas Dick and Jumping Jack were there and in
possession of the ponies; that there was to be a horse-race the day
after to-morrow, and the ponies had been entered. At this news the boy
sergeants became much excited, and proposed a dozen impracticable ways
of going on at once and seizing their property.

Hudson said he had talked the matter over with Mr. Gray, and the
merchant had advised that we give out a report in La Paz that we were
there on the transportation and storehouse business only, and make no
immediate attempt to capture the ponies. He said the town was full of
the friends of the horse-thieves, and that our movements would be
closely watched and reported to them. If they became alarmed they
would probably run across the Mexican boundary at once.

"But why cannot we attend the race with the escort, as spectators, and
seize them?" asked Frank.

"That is a move they will be sure to be looking for. If any of you go
to the race, I believe neither of those men nor the ponies will be
there."