The "report" delivered by Antonio was of a character to have caused
serious apprehension to the cibolero--fear, in fact, had he been the man
to have such a feeling. It had the effect of still further increasing
his caution, and his mind was now bent with all its energies upon the
craft of taking care of himself.
Had he contemplated an open fight, even with the two strong men who were
seeking him, he would have been less uneasy about the result; but he
knew that, strong as they were, these ruffians would not attack him
without some advantage. They would make every effort to surprise him
asleep, or otherwise take him unawares. Against their wiles he had now
to guard himself.
He rode slowly back to the ravine, his thoughts all the while busied
about the yellow hunter and his companion.
"They must know of the cave," so ran his reflections. "Their following
my trail yesterday is an evidence that they suspected something in the
direction of the ravine. They had no doubt heard of late affairs before
getting so far. Some _hatero_ on the outer plains has told them all,
very like; well, what then? They have hastened on to the mission. Ha!
the Padre Joaquin took the boy over to the Presidio. I see--I see--the
Padre is the `patron' of these two ruffians. They have told him
something, else why should he be off to the Presidio so early? News
from them--and then Roblado starting directly after to seek them!
Clear--clear--they have discovered my hiding-place!"