" asked Hank.

Burch nodded, shrugged his shoulders, and changed the subject to that of
the unfortunate First Texan Expedition and the terrible sufferings it
underwent, a subject at that time very prominent in all Texan hearts. It
did not take them long to judge accurately the real feelings of their
hosts and to learn that their sympathies were all for Texas; but even
with this knowledge they did not again refer to anything connected with
their presence along the trail; instead, they were careful to create the
impression that their little party intended to start almost immediately
northwest across the Cimarron desert for Bent's Fort, and from there to
scour the plains for buffalo skins. They even asked about the Bayou
Salade and its contiguous mountain "parks" as a place to hunt and trap
during the coming winter. After dark they said their good-byes and left
the encampment, to the vast relief of the Mexicans with the train. And
that night and the next, the Mexicans who chanced to be on watch were
the most alert of all the guards.

After their guests had gone the four friends sat in silence for awhile,
reviewing what they had learned, and then Hank spoke up.

"Reckon we better tell Woodson that thar won't be no greaser troops
waitin' fer us this trip?" he asked.

Tom was about to nod, but changed his mind and quickly placed his hand
on his partner's shoulder. "No," he said slowly. "I'm beginnin' ter see
through th' holes in th' ladder! Not a word, boys, ter _anybody_!
Pedro's lie about thar bein' no guard ter meet us this year ain't a lie
no more; but he don't know it, an' he ain't goin' ter know it! Meantime,
we'll keep our ears an' eyes open, an' be ready ter jump like cats. I
got a suspicion!"

"I got a bran' new one," chuckled Hank. "Hurrah for Texas!"

CHAPTER XIV

THE VALLEY OF THE CIMARRON

Because of the next stretch to certain water, a matter of about
thirty-five miles, another very early start was made after the
surrounding country had been searched by the plainsmen for signs of
Indians. Although later in the season than usual for a caravan to cover
this part of the route, the dreaded dry stretch along the usually empty
river bed was found broken here and there by shallow pools and advantage
was taken of these to soak the wooden rims of some of the older and more
faulty wagon wheels. One trader with a wagon which never should have
left Missouri had been put to great trouble to keep the tires on