"Not yet, by a good sight," pluckily retorted Jack. "Come on--into
this gulch. It takes a turn above here, and we may find some means of
getting out of their sight altogether."

Almost on their haunches, the horses were urged down the steep bank of
the gully to which Jack had referred. It was about twenty feet in
depth, with steep sides at the point at which they entered it, and
bare. Farther on, though, it took a turn, and was covered almost to
the bottom with chaparral and brush.

As Jack had said, if they could gain this portion of it, it ought to
afford them an ideal hiding-place.

Rapidly they pressed forward along the rough bottom of the gulch, which
was evidently a roaring water-course in times of heavy rain, but which
was now as dry as a bone. It was stiflingly hot, too, but none of them
noticed that. Other things far more overwhelming in importance, were
upon their minds just then.

Evidently, such skilled trackers as the Mexicans, had not been at fault
in locating the woods into which the boys had vanished. The yells and
cries, which Jack had heard, were rapidly drawing nearer in the woods
above them. But, if they could only gain the shelter of the overgrown
part of the gulch, they might still be safe.

It was in this extremity that Jack bethought himself of an old trick he
had heard the cow-punchers talk of at his father's ranch. They had
used it in old frontier days, when the Indians were thick and hostile.
The deception was a simple one. It consisted in the hunted person
slipping from his horse at a suitable hiding-place and then letting the
animal wander on.

The pursuers would naturally be guided by the sound of the horses'
hoofs, and would follow them up, leaving the concealed victim of the
chase at liberty, either to double back upon his trail, or remain where
he was. His intention of putting this trick into execution Jack
rapidly confided to his two companions. They rode forward through the
thick brush, which they had now gained, gazing eagerly at the walls of
the gulch for some cave, or other suitable place of concealment.

Suddenly Walt spied the very place which they were in search of,
apparently. It was a small opening in the rocky wall of the gully,
which appeared from below to penetrate quite some distance back into
the earth. Its mouth was sheltered with brush and creepers, and but
for the fact that a bird flew out from it as they passed, and thus
attracted their attent