THE AMBUSCADE.
We said at the close of the "Trail-Hunter," that another band entered
the desert at the heels of the troop commanded by Red Cedar. This band,
guided by Valentine Guillois, was composed of Curumilla, General Ibañez,
Don Miguel Zarate, and his son. These men were not seeking a placer, but
vengeance.
On reaching the Indian territory, the Frenchman looked inquiringly round
him, and stopping his horse, turned to Don Miguel.
"Before going further," he said, "I think we had better hold a council,
and settle a plan of campaign from which we will not deviate."
"My friend," the hacendero answered "you know that all our hopes rest
on you: act, therefore, as you think advisable."
"Good," Valentine said; "this is the hour when the heat compels all
living creatures in the desert to seek shelter under the shade of the
trees, so we will halt; the spot where we now are is admirably suited
for a day's bivouac."
"Be it so," the hacendero answered laconically.
The horsemen dismounted, and removed their horses' bits, so that the
poor creatures might obtain a little nourishment by nibbling the scanty
and parched grass which grew on this ungrateful soil. The spot was
really admirably chosen: it was a large clearing traversed by one of
those many nameless streams which intersect the prairie in every
direction, and which, after a course of a few miles, go to swell the
rivers in which they are lost. A dense dome of foliage offered the
travellers an indispensable shelter against the burning beams of a
vertical sun. Although it was about midday, the air in the clearing,
refreshed by the exhalations of the stream, invited them to enjoy that
day sleep so well called the siesta.
But the travellers had something more serious to attend to than sleep.
As soon as all the precautions were taken against any possible attack,
Valentine sat down at the foot of a tree, making his friends a sign to
join him. The three whites immediately acquiesced, while Curumilla,
according to his wont, went rifle in hand to the skirt of the clearing,
to watch over the safety of all. After a few moments' reflection,
Valentine took the word:
"Caballeros," he said, "the moment has arrived for a frank explanation:
we are at present on the enemy's territory; the desert extends for more
than two thousand miles around us. We shall have to fight not only with
the white men or redskins we meet on our road, but also contend with
hunger, thirst, and wild beasts of every description. Do not try to give
my words any other meaning than that I myself attach to them. You have
known me a long time, Don Miguel, and the friendship I have vowed to
you."
"I know it, and thank you," Don Miguel said, gratefully.
"In short," Valentine continued, "no obstacle, of whatever nature it may
be, will be powerful enough to check me in the mission I have undertaken."
"I am convinced of it, my friend."
"Good, but I am an old wood ranger; desert life, with its privations and
perils, is perfectly familiar to me; the trail I am about to follow will
only be child's play to me and the brave Indian, my companion."
"What are you coming to?" Don Miguel interrupted him anxiously.
"To this," the hunter frankly answered. "You caballeros, accustomed to a
life of luxury and ease, will perchance not be able to endure the rude
existence to which you are about to be condemned: in the first moment of
grief you bravely rushed, without reflecting, in pursuit of the
ravishers of your daughter, and without calculating the consequences of
your deed."
"That is true," Don Miguel murmured.
"It is, therefore, my duty," Valentine went on, "to warn you: do not be
afraid to withdraw; but be frank with me as I am with you: Curumilla and
myself will suffice to carry out the task we have undertaken. The
Mexican frontier stretches out about ten miles behind you; return to it,
and leave to us the care of restoring your child to you, if you do not
feel capable of braving, without giving way, the innumerable dangers
that menace us. A sick man, by delaying our pursuit, would not only
render it impossible for us to succeed, but might expose us all to the
risk of being killed and scalped. Hence, reflect seriously, my friend,
and putting away any question of self-esteem, give me an answer that
allows me full liberty of action."
During this species of sermon, whose justice he recognised in his heart,
Don Miguel had remained with his head bowed on his chest, and with
frowning eyebrows. When Valentine ceased, the hacendero drew himself up
and took the hunter's hand, which he pressed warmly, as he said--
"My friend, what you have said to me it was your duty to say: your
remarks do not at all offend me, because they were dictated by the
friendship you bear me. The observations you have made to me, I had
already made to myself; but, whatever may happen, my resolution is
immovable. I shall not turn back till I have found my daughter again."
"I knew that such would be your reply, Don Miguel," the hunter said. "A
father cannot consent to abandon his daughter in the hands of bandits,
without attempting all means to deliver her; still, it was my duty to
make the remark I did. Hence we will not speak about it again, but
prepare on the spot to draw up our plans of action."
"Oh, oh," the general said, with a laugh, "I am anxious to hear that."
"You will excuse me, general," Valentine answered; "but the war we carry
on is completely different from that of civilised people; in the desert
craft alone can triumph."
"Well, let us be crafty: I ask nothing better, especially as, with the
slight forces we have at our disposal, I do not see how we could act
otherwise."
"That is true," the hunter continued, "There are only five of us; but,
believe me, five determined men are more dangerous than might be
supposed, and I soon hope to prove it to our enemies."
"Well spoken, friend," Don Miguel said, gladly. "_Cuerpo de Dios_, those
accursed Gringos shall soon realise that fact."
"We have," Valentine continued, "allies who will second us valiantly
when the moment arrives: the Comanche nation proudly calls itself the
'Queen of the Prairies,' and its warriors are terrible enemies. Unicorn
will not fail us, with his tribe; and we have also a friend in the
enemy's camp in the Chief of the Coras."
"What are you saying?" the General gaily remarked. "Why, our success is
insured."
Valentine shook his head.
"No," he said; "Red Cedar has allies too: the Pirates of the Prairies
and the Apaches will join him, I feel convinced."
"Perhaps so," Don Miguel observed.
"Doubt is not admissible under the circumstances; the scalp hunter is
too well used to a desert life not to try and get all the chances of
success on his side."
"But, if that happen, it will be a general war," the hacendero said.
"Doubtless," Valentine continued; "that is what I wish to arrive at. Two
days' march from where we now are there is a Navajo village; I have done
some slight services to Yellow Wolf, the principal chief; we must
proceed to him before Red Cedar attempts to see him, and insure his
alliance at all risks. The Navajos are prudent and courageous warriors."
"Do you not fear the consequences of this delay?"
"Once for all, caballeros," Valentine answered, "remember that in the
country where we now are the straight line is ever the longest."
The three men bowed resignedly.
"Yellow Wolf's alliance is indispensable to us: with his support it will
be easy for us to--"
The sudden appearance of Curumilla interrupted the hunter.
"What is the matter now?" he asked him.
"Listen!" the chief answered laconically.
The four men anxiously stopped talking.
"By Heavens!" Valentine said, as he hurriedly arose, "What is the matter
here?"
And, followed by his comrades, he stepped into the thicket. The
Mexicans, whose senses were dulled, had heard nothing at the first
moment; but the noise which had struck the hunter's practised ear now
reached them. It was the furious galloping of several horses, whose
hoofs re-echoed on the ground with a noise resembling that of thunder.
Suddenly, ferocious yells were heard, mingled with shots.
The five travellers, hidden behind trees, peered out, and soon noticed a
man mounted on a horse lathered with foam, who was pursued by some
thirty mounted Indians.
"To horse!" Valentine commanded in a low voice. "We cannot let this man
be assassinated."
"Hem!" the general muttered, "We are playing a dangerous game, for they
are numerous."
"Do you not see that the man is of our own colour?" Valentine went on.
"That is true," said Don Miguel. "Whatever happens, we must not allow
him to be massacred in cold blood by those ferocious Indians."
In the meanwhile, the pursuers and pursued had come nearer the spot
where the hunters were ambushed behind the trees. The man the Indians
were so obstinately following drew himself up haughtily in his saddle,
and, while galloping at full speed, turned from time to time to fire his
rifle into the thick of his enemies. At each discharge a warrior fell;
his comrades then uttered fearful yells, and answered by a shower of
arrows and bullets. But the stranger shook his head disdainfully, and
continued his career.
"_Caspita!_" the general said with admiration; "That is a brave fellow."
"On my soul," Don Pablo exclaimed, "it would be a pity to see him
killed."
"We must save him," Don Miguel could not refrain from saying.
Valentine smiled gently.
"I will try it," he said. "To horse!"
Each leaped into the saddle.
"Now," Valentine continued, "remain invisible behind the shrubs. These
Indians are Apaches; when they come within range, you will all fire
without showing yourselves."
Each set his rifle, and held in readiness. There was a moment of supreme
expectation, and the hunters' hearts beat violently.
The Indians still approached, bowed over the necks of their panting
steeds, brandishing their weapons furiously, and uttering at intervals
their formidable war cry. They came up at headlong speed, preceded about
one hundred yards by the man they were pursuing, whom they must soon
catch up, for his wearied horse stumbled continually, and was sensibly
diminishing its speed.
At length the stranger passed with lightning speed the thicket which
concealed those who were about to try a diversion in his favour, that
might ruin them.
"Attention," Valentine commanded in a low voice. The rifles were lowered
on the Apaches.
"Aim carefully," the Trail-hunter added. "Every bullet must, kill its
man."
A minute elapsed--a minute an age in length.
"Fire!" the hunter suddenly shouted; "Fire now."
Five shots were discharged, and the same number of Apaches fell.