Behind the house were some sheds,
where our horses might be tethered. The first thing to be done was to
obtain food for them. It was more important that they should be fed
than that we should; so a party was sent out to cut grass, and soon
returned with a sufficiency. Most of the people had brought provisions,
as we likewise had done, and thus in that respect we were very well off.
Captain Driscoll, by tacit consent, was chosen to make the arrangements
for our security during the night. In the lower room was a large
hearth, on which a blazing fire was made, and by the light of it we ate
our somewhat frugal supper. We then all climbed up into the loft, and
the Mexicans, with their _scrapes_, and saddles, and saddle-cloths, soon
made themselves comfortable beds, and we imitated their example. The
Indian prisoner had been made to come up, and then they bound his arms
and legs, and he sat in one corner with a man to watch him. I had been
asleep some time, when I felt Jerry pulling at my arm. I looked up.
The light of the moon was streaming in through a gap in the roof, for
the storm which had threatened had passed off. Jerry put his finger to
his lips to impose silence, and pointed to the Indian. He was sitting
up; his hands were free, and he was busily employed in disengaging his
legs from the lashings which secured them. What to do I scarcely knew.
If the prisoner would go away without hurting any one, I thought it
would be the best thing that could happen. Then it occurred to me that
if he escaped he might give information to his friends of our
whereabouts, so I thought it would be best to stop him. I was on the
point of singing out, when up sprung the Indian, the long knife of his
sleeping guard in his hand. He was about to plunge it into the man,
when Jerry's and my shouts arrested his arm, and leaping down the
trap-hole at which the ladder was placed, before those who had been
aroused could catch hold of him, away he flew through the village.
Pursuit was instantly made, but before the foot of the ladder could be
reached, he was out of sight. Those who had gone after the Indian
returned looking very foolish; and the man who had charge of him was
soundly rated, but that was all that could be done. I found that the
same reason for apprehension was entertained by the party which had
occurred to me. However, after a time, the Mexicans got tired of
watching, and all lay down again in their places. I could n