saw the mountains rising before them, terrace after
terrace, and, three days after the encounter with the jaguar, they
began to ascend the middle slopes between the tierra caliente and the
lofty sierras. The whole character of the country changed. The tropical
jungle ceased. They now entered magnificent forests of oak, pine, plane
tree, mimosas, chestnut and many other varieties. They also saw the
bamboo, the palm and the cactus. The water was fresher and colder, and
they felt as if they had come into a new world.

But the question of food supply returned. They had used the wild fruits
in abundance, always economizing strictly with their tortillas and
frijoles. Now they had eaten the last of these and a diet of fruit alone
would not do.

"We'll have to sell a pistol in the way that we sold the musket," said
Ned.

"I hate to do it," said Obed, "but I don't see anything else that we can
do. We might seize our food at the first hut we find, but whatever may
be the quarrels between the Mexicans and Texans, I'm not willing to rob
any of these poor peons."

"Nor I," said Ned with emphasis. "My pistol goes first."

They found the usual adobe hut in a pleasant valley, and the noble
senor, the proprietor, was at home playing a mandolin. He did not
suspect them to be Gringos, but he was quite sure that they were
brigands and he made the exchange swiftly and gladly. Two days later the
other pistol went in the same way, and they began to think how they
could acquire new weapons and plenty of ammunition for them. They sat in
the shade of a great oak while they discussed the question. It was
certainly a vital one. Dangerous enough at any time, the long journey
through Mexico would become impossible without arms.

"If we could loot them from the soldiers I wouldn't mind at all," said
Obed. "The soldiers are to act against Texas, according to the tale you
tell, and the tale is true. All's fair in flight and war, and if such a
chance comes our way I'm going to take it."

"So am I," said Ned.

But such a chance was in no hurry to present itself. They went on for a
number of days and came now to the region, bordering the high sierras,
passing through vast forests of oak and pine, and seeing scarcely any
habitation. Here, as they walked toward twilight along one of the narrow
paths, a voice from the bushes cried: "Halt!"

Ned saw several gun barrels protruding from the foliage, and was
obedient to the command. He also threw up