mrade to enable them to realize
the true state of affairs, and to make instant preparation to follow,
overtake the fugitive, and mete out to him the reward of his perfidy.
Hastily possessing myself of what few arms I needed, and taking the bag
of parched corn that was suspended from the girdle of the fallen savage,
I made my way to where the ponies were _cached_, and springing on my
animal, urged him forward at the top of his speed, leading the Indian's
pony by the lariat attached to his bridle.

My plan was to strike out over the prairie in a southerly direction, and
by traveling without cessation, endeavor to put a wide gap between
pursuer and pursued, and thus be enabled to reach in safety some of the
Mexican frontier towns. I was certain that this plan was feasible, from
the conversation I had heard from time to time among the warriors of our
band. Indeed, it was proposed by Hissodecha, to raid on some one of the
_pueblas_, if they were unsuccessful in their attack on the Arrapahoes,
as by this means they would avoid the ignominy of returning to the
lodges of their people, without being able to display the fruits of a
successful foray; such as scalps, horses, captives, etc.

By riding my pony until he dropped from exhaustion and then availing
myself of the fresh lead horse, I could travel an immense distance
without drawing rein. It was growing dark when I started, and I had not
traveled far before the night closed in, and I had to trust to the
instinct of my horse to carry me safely over the prairie. My course was
shaped by a certain star that would keep me on the right trail if I held
it steadily in view. About midnight I halted at a small stream to water
the horses, and hastily prepare for myself a small portion of the
parched corn, which was done by mixing a handful in a gourd filled with
water. This corn is invaluable to those who wish to traverse long
distances, without being hampered with unnecessary luggage. With a sack
or gourd of this article, containing about an half bushel, one can
travel fifteen or twenty days without other sustenance.

On we sped, the animals straining every muscle and nerve, their flanks
heaving and flecked with foam. No sound broke upon the stillness of the
night, save the rapid hoof-strokes of the mustangs, and occasionally the
yelp of a coyote that was startled in his midnight prowlings by our
sudden and rapid advance. Directly in my coarse loomed up a huge mound,
and further on