brought to communicate
with the military robber, Uraga.

The Indian bivouac is down in the creek bottom in a little valley, on
both sides flanked by precipitous cliffs. Above and below these
approach each other, so near as to leave only a narrow path along the
edge of the stream.

The savages are resting after a long, rapid march, encumbered with their
spoils and captives. Some have lain down to sleep, their nude bodies
stretched along the sward, resembling bronze statues tumbled from their
pedestals. Others squat around fires, roasting collops from cattle they
have killed, or eating them half raw.

A few stand or saunter by the side of the captives, upon these casting
covetous glances, as if they only waited for the opportunity to
appropriate them. The women are all young; some of them scarce grown
girls, and some very beautiful.

A heart-harrowing sight it would be for their fathers, brothers,
husbands and sweethearts, could they but witness it. These may not be
far off.

Some suspicion of this has carried the Horned Lizard and El Barbato up
to the crest of the cliff. They have been summoned thither by a sign,
which the traveller on the prairies of Texas or the table plains of
Mexico never sees without stopping to scrutinise and shape conjecture
about its cause. Before entering the canon through which runs Pecan
Creek, the Tenawa chief had observed a flock of turkey-buzzards circling
about in the air. Not the one accompanying him and his marauders on
their march, as is the wont of these predatory birds. But another quite
separate gang, seen at a distance behind, apparently above the path
along which he and his freebooters had lately passed.

As the Comanche well knows, a sign too significant to be treated lightly
or with negligence. And so, too, his second in command. Therefore have
they climbed the cliff to obtain a better view of the birds--those
flying afar--and, if possible, draw a correct conclusion as to the cause
of their being there.

On reaching the summit they again see them, though so far off as to be
barely visible--black specks against the blue canopy of the sky. Still
near enough to show a large number circling about over some object that
appears stationary.

This last observation seems satisfactory to the Tenawa chief, who,
turning to his fellow-freebooter, shouts out,--

"Nothing to fear. Don't you remember, Barbato, one of our horses gave
out there, and was left? It's over hi