-smelling larrea, or "creosote plant."

Animals are rare upon the Llano Estacado, although the prong-horn
antelope--true denizen of the desert--is there found, as also its enemy,
the Mexican jackal, or coyote. To the rattlesnake and horned lizard
(_agama_) it is a congenial home; and the singular snake-bird
(_paisano_) may frequently be seen running over the arid waste, or
skulking through the tortuous stems of the nopals. In the canons of the
stream the grizzly bear makes his haunt, and in times not long gone by
it was ascended and traversed by the unwieldy buffalo. The wild horse
(_musteno_) still occasionally courses across it.

Of all the living things it is least frequented by man. Even the Indian
rarely strays into its solitudes; and the white man, when necessitated
to enter them, does so with fear and trembling, for he knows there is
danger.

This is chiefly due to the absence of water; but there is also the
chance of going astray--getting lost in the absence of landmarks. To be
astray in a wilderness of any kind is a perilous predicament for the
traveller--in one without water it is death.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

After their affair with the Tenawas, the Texan Rangers directed their
course towards the Llano Estacado. On starting, it was their intention
to strike north, and get upon the main stream of the Canadian, then
follow it up to the place where the prairie traders met their murderous
doom. From the country of the Tenawa Comanches this would be the
correct route, and was the same taken by these freebooters returning
with the spoils of the caravan. But from the mouth of the Pecan Creek
is one more direct, leading across a spur of the plateau itself, instead
of turning its north-eastern extremity.

It was not known to the Rangers, though Cully remembered having heard
something about it. But the Mexican renegade declared himself familiar
with, and counselled taking it. There had been hesitation before
acceding to his counsel. Of course, they could have no confidence in
such a man, but rather suspicion of all he said or did. In guiding them
across the Staked Plain he might have some sinister purpose--perhaps
lead them into a trap.

After all, how could he? The tribe of savages with which he had been
consorting was now so terribly chastised, so effectually crushed, it was
not probable--scarce possible--they would be encountered again.
Certain