ck we took offen Del Pinzo. No use
carting the duffle along. It's no good to us and it only tires our
pack mules. Heave it down this gully, boys and we'll ride lighter."

This was soon done, and the baggage animals, at least, went forward
with easier burdens. The trail became more rough as it led upward, but
Snake explained that they would cross one range of the mountain, and
come to a level plain which must be traversed before the second range
would be reached.

"And we'll either come across the Yaquis in the plain, or as we go up
the second mountain," said the cowboy. "That will be about their limit
I fancy."

They camped that night on the downward slope of the first mountain,
having crossed the ridge through a narrow pass, not easy to negotiate.
There was a more tense feeling when this night camp was made than at
any time before.

"For it seems now, somehow," explained Bud, "that we're within striking
distance of the Yaquis. We're trailing 'em close!"

"The closer the better--so, we can get a few shots at 'em!" declared
Nort.

"Will they really make a stand and fight?" asked Dick.

"I don't know," Bud replied. "I never--"

"They'll fight all right!" interrupted Rolling Stone. "They'll fight
now just through fear of being captured. The first hot impulses that
caused them to run wild are cooling off. They'll be worse to tackle
now than when they first took the war path, for they will be cool and
calculating, while before they were hot headed, and anyone who used
half his brains could best 'em. Yes, we aren't going to have a picnic."

"Well, we didn't come for that," said Dick grimly.

He and his companion boy ranchers were willing to endure all the
hardships and dangers with the more seasoned cowboys, and Bud and Nort
who, until within a comparatively recent time were unused to western
ways, were now accounted as capable of Bud, than which there was no
higher praise.

There was evident in the manner in which campfires were built, and a
system of sentinel guards posted, that the older men realized the
nearness of danger. The cowboys had dropped their half bantering
manner, and sat grim-lipped and thoughtful of eye about the blaze.
This change in their manners affected our youthful heroes who looked at
one another somewhat apprehensively, and more than once let their hands
stray to their weapons.

But the night passed without untoward incident, if we except a false
alarm given by Bud when he w