Frank's recent equine acquisition, Sancho, say to
the boy:

"Corpril Frank, laddie, can ye give me the Naviho words for _whoa_ and
_get up_? I'm afeared the little baste 'll not understand me English,
and may attimpt to lave for his troibe."

"You needn't speak to him, Tom. Use your reins, curb, and spurs,"
replied the boy.

"True for you, corpril; a pull to stop, and a spur to go ahead. That's
a language that nades no interpreter."

For myself, I proposed to follow up the Navajos with the rest of the
company as soon as they were fairly within the canon, and I expected
to capture them without blood-shed.

We started, the mounted men turning to the north of the wooded point
and entering the forest, and the footmen marching direct for La
Puerta. I kept my men out of sight under the rolls of the valley
surface, and moved at quick time. When the redmen were well within the
walls of the canon we deployed right and left, and closed up rapidly
behind them.

The Indians showed perceptible astonishment when they perceived this
unexpected and warlike demonstration, but they soon recovered, and
then, feeling the superiority of the mounted man over the footman,
they broke into derisive shouts and made gestures conveying their
contempt for us. This continued for some time, when they suddenly
showed confusion. They dashed at a gallop to the north side of the
passage, and skirted it for a considerable distance, as if looking for
a place of escape. Failing to find one they dashed wildly to the other
side, where they met with no better success, and then they halted and
consulted.

Presently one of their number rode out and waved a white cloth. Upon
this I approached alone and made signs for them to dismount and lay
down their arms. They did so, and at another sign withdrew in a body,
when my men picked up everything and collected their ponies.

I was certainly surprised at such a bloodless result of my strategy,
and, after shaking hands with the chief, began my return march to
camp.

We had gone but a short distance when I overheard Private Clary, one
of the mounted men, who was riding near me, say to Private Hoey beside
him.

"D'ye moind the cut uv thim chaps' hair, Jarge?"

"Indade I do that, Tom," replied George.

"Thim's no Navihos!"

"Not a bit uv it. I'd as soon expict to see one in currls!"

I had a wholesome respect for the opinions of these old soldiers, for
they had campaigned against Indians in Texas, Uta