es above them.

The courier again bade us good-bye, and we went on. The rest of the
ride through the mountain-pass was accomplished without adventure, and
evening found us encamped at Willow Springs. The boys shot a few quail
here, of the variety known as the California quail, distinguished by
an elegant plume of six feathers on the top of its head. Clary broiled
them for breakfast.

The road on the following day was so rough that for much of the way
we were unable to move faster than a walk--the slow walk of draught
animals. When near a place called Soldiers' Holes, on account of some
rifle-pits sunk there, the corporal called my attention to a pool of
blood in the road.

A close examination led us to believe that two men had fallen, that
one had been wounded, and that a second party had come and taken the
wounded man away. The locality was well adapted for a surprise. On the
left was a growth of dense shrubbery extending from the road to the
foot of the mountain-range. On the opposite side was an open plain.

We were moving on again, when Frank remarked:

"There seems to have been a big gathering of Apaches along this road."

"Yes; a war-party bent on mischief. They have struck at two points,
and I fear a third--Date Creek--may have been attacked by this time.
That is where we are to pass the night." Then turning to Corporal
Duffey, I continued: "The road from here to the creek is soft and
loamy, and we are not likely to make much noise; caution the men to
be quiet and not show themselves outside the track. If the Indians are
at the ranch it will be best for us to appear there unexpectedly."

"Do Indians never stand up like white men, and fight?" asked the
younger boy.

"Frequently, but their system is different from ours; however, our
latest military tactics appear to be modelled on theirs."

Although this section of our journey was but twenty-five miles long,
our rate of progress had been so slow that the day was nearly closed
when we came in sight of the lines of cottonwoods that bordered Date
Creek. We turned at last sharply to the left, and began a descent
through a narrow ravine towards the creek. We were nearing its
widening mouth when a half-dozen sharp reports of fire-arms broke upon
our ears. A halt was ordered and the men directed to prevent the
animals from betraying our presence by whinnying or braying. Telling
Sergeant Henry to remain behind and keep Vic with him, I went in
advance with Sergea