The pursuit conducted us southward; and, at almost every place where we
made inquiry, we heard of four mounted Mexicans--who could be no other
than the men we were desirous of overtaking.
For the first two days, we were told, in answer to our inquiries, that
they were about forty-eight hours in advance of us.
On the third morning, we again got word of them at a rancho, where they
had stopped to bait their horses. The owner of the rancho gave a
description of a mule which they were leading along with them--a brown
mule, with rat tail and hog mane. It could be no other than the one,
which had cost Dick so dearly.
After feeding their animals, the Mexicans had made no further halt; but
had taken the road again--as if pressed for time. So fancied the
ranchero.
They must have been under some apprehension of being pursued--else they
would not have travelled in such hot haste. It was about forty hours--
the man said--since they had taken their departure from the rancho. We
were gaining upon them; but so slowly, that Guinane was all the while
chafing with impatience.
He seldom spoke. When he did, it was to urge me to greater speed. I
had much trouble in holding him sufficiently in check to prevent our
horses from being killed with over riding.
From information obtained at the rancho, we could now tell that the
Mexicans were making for the sea coast, instead of directing their march
towards the interior. If they intended going overland to the city of
Mexico, they were taking a very indirect road towards their destination.
At each place where we got word of them--on the fourth day of our
pursuit--we learnt that the distance between us was rapidly lessening.
Near the evening of this day, we stopped at another rancho, to refresh
our horses--now nearly done up. The Mexicans had stopped at the same
place, six hours before. On leaving it, they had taken the road to San
Luis Obispo. We should arrive there about noon on the following day.
"To-morrow," said Guinane, as he lay down to snatch a short repose,
while our horses were feeding, "to-morrow I shall have revenge or death!
My prayer is, _God let me live until to-morrow_!"
Again we were in the saddle--urging our horses along the road to San
Luis Obispo.
We reached that place at the hour of noon. Another disappointment for
my companion!
San Louis is a seaport. A small vessel had departed that morning for
Mazatlan, and the Mexicans were aboard of her!
On arriving at the port, they had hastily disposed of their animals; and
taken passage on the vessel--which chanced to be on the eve of sailing.
We were just one hour too late!
To think of following them further would have been worse than madness--
which is folly. By the time we could reach Mazatlan, they might be
hundreds of miles off--in the interior of Mexico.
Never have I witnessed such despondency, as was exhibited by Guinane at
that moment.
So long as there had appeared a chance of overtaking the men, who had
injured him, he had been sustained by the hope of revenge; but on our
relinquishing the pursuit, the recollection of the many misfortunes that
had darkened his life, added to this new chagrin, came palpably before
his mind, suggesting thoughts of suicide!
"'Twas folly to pursue them at all," said he. "I should have known that
the chance of overtaking them would have been a stroke of fortune too
good to be mine. Fate has never yet been so kind to me, as to grant a
favour I so much desired; and I was a fool to expect it. Shall I die?"
I used every means in my power to direct his thoughts to some other
subject; but he seemed not to heed, either what I said or did.
Suddenly arousing himself from a long reverie, he emphatically
exclaimed:
"No! I will war with fate, till God calls me hence! All the curses of
fortune shall not make me surrender. All the powers of Hell shall not
subdue me. I will live, and conquer them all!"
His spirit, after a terrible struggle, had triumphed; and now rose in
opposition to fate itself.
We rode back to the Stanislaus. It was a dreary journey; and I was glad
when it was over. There had been an excitement in the chase, but none
in returning from it. Even the horses seemed to participate in the
cloudy change that had come over our thoughts.
After arriving at the Stanislaus, I went to see Stormy Jack. I found
him hard at work, and doing well in his claim--which was likely to
afford him employment for several weeks longer. I was pleased to hear
of his success; and strongly urged him to abstain from drink.
"I don't intend to drink any more," said he, "leastwise, as long as I'm
on the diggings; and sartinly not when I have any gold about me. That
last spree, when I came so near losin' it, has larnt me manners."
Guinane accompanied me on this visit to Stormy; and on our return, we
passed through the town. My partner had left his name at the office of
"Reynold's Express," for the purpose of having his letters forwarded
from the General Post-office in San Francisco. As we passed the Express
Office, he called in, to see if any had arrived for him.
A letter was handed to him--for which he paid in postage and express
charges, one dollar and fifty cents!
After getting the letter, we stepped into a tavern, where he commenced
reading it.
While thus occupied, I noticed that he seemed strangely agitated.
"We are friends," said he, turning short towards me. "I have told you
some of my troubles of the past. Read this letter, and make yourself
acquainted with some more. It is from Amanda Milne."