d joined his sentinels, and
all four hid in the underforest between the great trees.

The scouts, keeping as much under cover as was possible, crept up the
lower spur of the mountain, their glance describing a constant
half-circle. When they were within a few feet of the fugitives,
Anastacio raised his bow and discharged two arrows in rapid succession.
One buried itself in the jugular of the foremost scout, and he huddled
down among the soft leaves without a cry. The other, equally well
aimed, entered the shoulder of the second scout, where it quivered
violently for a few seconds, then was torn forth and flung to the
ground with a cry of defiance. The Californian, disregarding his wound,
raised himself to his full height and pointed his pistol. But vaguely:
the quiet, feathery young redwoods told no tales. Then his eye fell
upon his dead brother. He turned and fled.

"They will not enter the forest," said Anastacio; "and when I am ready
they will fight, not before. Have you pencil and paper, senor?"

Roldan produced a treasured note-book that a relative had brought him
from Boston.

"Write," said the chief; and he dictated:--

SENOR DON CAPITAN,--At noon to-morrow we fight in the valley near the
eight oak trees and the two madronos. Do you wish to fight sooner you
can come into the mountains. It will be better for us.

ANASTACIO.

He tore out the leaf, crawled down the mountain as non-apparently as a
python, and pinned it high on an outstanding redwood, then returned and
told his sentinels to sleep, replacing them with others.

IX

That evening Anastacio called Roldan to him.

"I fear treachery," he said. "Who can trust five hundred men that have
learned too much? And the white men, they have better brains than mine.
I watch to-night. Will you watch with me, senor?--that I can sleep
before morning and rest for the fight."

"I will," said Roldan, enthusiastically. "And Adan also?"

"It matters not."

When the dusk was so thick in the aisles that every moving frond looked
like a man looming suddenly, one of the sentinels returned with the
news that the paper had been taken from the tree, and that the
Californians had pitched tents, and to all appearance were at rest for
the night.

It was not likely that the enemy would venture into the forest at
night. They were not a large body, they were not pressed for time, nor
were they the heroes of many wars. The Indians were comparatively safe
until mor