out of the valley--which I believe
was only a false one."

The Comandante and Roblado drew back from the parapet, and for some
minutes talked together in a low tone.

"It would look well," muttered Roblado; "in fact, the very thing you
want. The trump cards seem to drop right into your hands. You send a
force at the _request_ of this fellow, who is a nobody here. You do him
a service, and yourself at the same time. It will tell well, I warrant
you."

"But for him to act as guide?"

"Let him! So much the better--that will satisfy all parties. He won't
find his Jicarillas,--ha! ha ha!--of course; but let the fool have his
whim!"

"But suppose, camarado, he falls upon _our_ trail?--the cattle?"

"He is not going in that direction; besides, if he did, we are not bound
to follow such trails as he may choose for us; but he has said he is not
going that way--he don't intend to follow a trail. He knows some nest
of these Jicarillas in the mountains,--like enough; and to rout them--
there's a bit of glory for some one. A few scalps would look well over
the gate. It hasn't had a fresh ornament of that sort since we've been
here! What say you? It's but a fifty-mile ride."

"I have no objection to the thing--it _would_ look well; but I shall not
go myself. I don't like being along with the fellow out there or
anywhere else--you can understand that feeling, I suppose?"

Here the Comandante looked significantly at his companion.

"Oh! certainly--certainly," replied the latter.

"_You_ may take the troop; or, if you are not inclined, send Garcia or
the sergeant with them."

"I'll go myself," replied Roblado. "It will be safer. Should the
cibolero incline to follow certain trails, I can lead him away from
them, or refuse--yes it will be better for me to go myself. By my soul!
I want to have a brush with these redskins. I hope to bring back some
`hair,' as they say. Ha ha! ha!"

"When would you start?"

"Instantly--the sooner the better. That will be more agreeable to all
parties, and will prove our promptitude and patriotism. Ha! ha! ha!"

"You had better give the sergeant his orders to get the men ready, while
I make our cibolero happy."

Roblado hastened down from the azotea, and the next moment the bugle was
heard sounding "boots and saddles."

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR.

During the conversation that had taken place the cibolero sat,
motionless upon his horse where he had first halted. The tw