He is wise, and
can laugh at the Apache dogs."

It was an exciting scene, the Mexican labourers fleeing over the plain,
the cattle calmly resuming their grazing, and the cloud of Indian
horsemen tearing along like a whirlwind.

The occupants of the rock were helpless, and the loss of the cattle was
forgotten in the peril of Joses, though murmurs long and deep were
uttered by the Englishmen against him who had sent them out to graze.

In spite, too, of the terrible loss, there was something interesting and
wonderfully exciting in the way in which the Apaches charged down with
lowered lances, the cattle calmly grazing till they were near; then
lifting up their heads in wonder, and as the Indians swooped round, they
wheeled about, and went off at a gallop, but only to be cleverly headed
and driven back; and then with the Apaches behind, and forming a
crescent which partly enclosed the lumbering beasts, they were driven
off at full speed fight away towards the plain, gradually disappearing
from their owners' eyes.

"Only half as many to feed," said the Doctor, bitterly.

"Poor Joses!" groaned Bart with a piteous sigh.

"Chief Joses coming," said the Beaver pointing; and to the delight of
all they could see Joses in the distance, his rifle shouldered, marching
quietly towards them, and evidently making himself a cigarette as he
came.

Half an hour later he was in their midst.

"Couldn't save the obstinate beasts, master," he said quietly; "they
were worse than buffler."

"But how did you manage to escape?" cried the Doctor and Bart in a
breath.

"Oh! when I see it was all over, I just crept under a bush, and waited
till the Indian dogs had gone."

"Chief Joses too wise for Apache dog," said the Beaver, with a calm
smile. "Beaver-with-Sharp-Teeth told young chief Bart so."

"Yes," said Bart; "and I can't tell you how glad I am."

"Just about as glad as I am, Master Bart," said Joses, gruffly. "I did
my best, master, and I couldn't do no more."

"I know, Joses," replied the Doctor. "It was my fault; and the greasers
ran away?"

"Lord, master, if we'd had five hundred thousand greasers there it would
have been all the same. Nothing but a troop of horse would have brought
the obstinate cattle back to their corral. You won't send out no more?"

"No, Joses, not a hoof," said the Doctor, gloomily; and he went to his
tent on the top of the mountain to ponder upon the gloomy state of their
affairs.