e that any one
should try to burst into the safe and extract the money, for well he
knew that if divided among the men there would be no longer a
loadstone to hold them together, to call for their fiercest fighting
powers if assailed. The instant the money was scattered the gang would
follow suit, and he be left to meet the cavalry single-handed.

The horses of the little detachment were not long in slaking their
thirst. The noiseless signal to mount was given, and, following in the
lead of their young lieutenant, the troopers rode silently down the
winding canon, Drummond and Sergeant Lee bending low over their
chargers' necks to see that they did not miss the hoof-prints. Little
by little the light of dawn began to penetrate the dark depths in
which they were scouting, and trailing became an easier matter.
Presently the sergeant pointed to the face of the opposite slope, now
visible from base to summit where an abrupt bend threw it against the
eastern light.

"Yonder's where the ambulance came down, sir."

"I see, and we can't be far from where it crossed. Trot ahead and take
a look. Let Patterson go with you. If you find a chance for
short-cuts, signal."

Another half-hour passed away and still the trail led along this
strange, rock-ribbed groove in the desert, the dry bed of some
long-lost stream. When first met it seemed to be cutting directly
across their line of march, now it had turned southward, and, for
several miles ahead, south or west of south was its general course.
The light was now broad and clear, though the sun had not yet peeped
across the mountain range to their left. The pace was rapid, Drummond
frequently urging his men to the trot or canter. Out to the front four
or five hundred yards, often lost to view in the windings of the way,
Sergeant Lee with a single trooper rode in the advance, but not once
had he signalled a discovery worth recording. Both wagon and
hoof-tracks here pursued a common road. It was evident that some
horsemen had found it necessary to ride alongside. It was evident,
too, that the outlaws were travelling at full speed, as though anxious
to reach some familiar lair before turning to face their expected
pursuers. Every one in the gang, from Pasqual down to their humblest
packer, well knew that it could not be long before cavalry in strong
force would come trotting in chase. The squadron at Stoneman would
surely be on the march by the coming sunset. As for "C" troop, they