reasy fingers avidly after he
had wolfed down his portion. A moment later he asked a question of his
own. Rennie replied, nodding vigorously, as if to make assent more
emphatic. Anse translated.

"Th' Mex wanted to know if th' Old Man meant what he said 'bout talkin' up
to th' law. If so, he may loosen his jaw some. I'd say, if he's a guide
from down there, he wouldn't be too set on coverin' for Kitchell--not when
that might mean gettin' his own neck stretched. Yeah ... now he's
beginnin' to run right over at th' lip."

The prisoner did loose a flood of words, Rennie and Chino listening
intently, Donally coming to stand behind the others. Drew guessed by his
changing expressions that the Anglo rider was as much at home in Spanish
as Anse. The Kentuckian regretted his own ignorance; the few words he had
picked up along the trail from Texas certainly were no help now.

The Mexican wiped his good hand up and down the front of his worn jacket,
and then smoothed a patch of soil. On it he drew lines and explained each
of them, much as Hilario Trinfan had done for the horse hunters days
earlier.

"What's he sayin' now?" Drew demanded of Anse.

"That it's true he was sent to guide Kitchell south. That train of hosses
an' loot was th' gang's prime pickin's. Some of it was to grease their way
in with this hombre's _patron_--don't know who _he_ is--some Mex gineral or
such. Kitchell, he rode behind because he had waited for a gringo to meet
him. They was makin' up time when they heard th' fight goin' on in th'
pass. Kitchell headed back here to fill canteens. Th' Mex was goin' to
guide 'em south by another trail--one he knows. He's layin' it out for th'
Old Man now. It's a pretty rough one; they'd have to take it slow. Could
be we could catch up before Kitchell makes it--'specially since he don't
have this Mex leadin' him now."

When it was necessary Rennie could move fast. He was on his feet giving
orders almost before Anse had finished the translation. Their party was to
be split in two. Drew and Anse were to stay with the wounded Mexican and
Shiloh, and prepare to defend the water hole if the outlaws made a second
attempt to come in. The rest of them would ride for an already designated
rendezvous point where they would meet the party sent to trace the
fugitives.

"Why do I stay, suh?" Anse protested when _Don_ Cazar had finished.

"You can tend that arm better on the ground than in the saddle."

"Ain't no hurt there