SHOOTING STARS
Contrary to what was usual when a band of cowboys, including Bud, Nort,
and Dick, started off on the trail, there was very little singing,
laughing and joking as they gave their ponies rein to begin pursuit
after the kidnapping Yaquis. Even the lightest-spirited cowpuncher
felt the gravity of the situation, though, save for the three boy
ranchers, none had ever seen Rosemary and Floyd. And it was so long
ago that Bud, Nort and Dick had met these western cousins that they
scarcely remembered them.
"But we'd hit the trail for the rescue whether they were our cousins or
not!" declared Bud Merkel, as he kicked his heels against the flanks of
his pony, and sent that steady-going animal forward with a rush.
"Whoa there, son, whoa there!" advised Snake Purdee who was in
leadership of the party.
"That's right," chimed in Yellin' Kid, with his usual strident tones.
"Take it easy, Bud, We've got a long, hard trail ahead of us, and we
haven't any spare horses."
"I didn't intend to start a race," spoke Bud, as he slowed up and
waited for Nort and Dick. "I was just wishing I could kick some of
those greasy Mexican Indians, and it must have been a sort of reflex
action on my part that gave Toot a tap in the ribs," and he patted his
pony, no very handsome steed, but a sticker on a long trail. Bud had
taught his pony to run out of the corral at the blowing of a horn,
hence the name "Toot."
"I don't know anything about them there reflex actions," observed
Yellin' Kid, "but I do know that this is no fishin' party! We've got
hard work cut out for us if we're to trail them sneakin' Yaquis."
"You delivered an earful that time, my friend," stated Rolling Stone,
with a grim smile. "I've had dealings with these imps and while they
don't compare in bloodthirstiness with the worst of our former American
Indians, they're bad enough. I know!"
He seemed to gaze afar, into the past, and the boy ranchers hoped he
would some day tell the details of how he had come so to hate the
Yaquis.
The trailing party, started into action by the receipt of the message
so daringly written by Rosemary, consisted of fifteen cowboys, and in
these I include our three heroes, who certainly are entitled to be
classed with the others. For though not as old, they had had
considerable experience now, and were able to rough it with the most
veteran cow puncher.
In addition to Bud, Nort and Dick, there was Snake Purdee, who was in
virtual charge, according to instructions from Bud's father. Yellin'
Kid, Rolling Stone and several other cowboys made up the remainder of
the party, which was well armed, and provisioned as fully as was
practical. They expected to replenish their packs of food at various
places, and if they passed beyond the pale of civilization they would
live off the land, or do their best in this respect.
"It can't be any worse for us than for those Indians," Snake Purdee had
said, when the talk was on the food question.
"Yes, but a white man can't live on what those heathen eat," remarked
Rolling Stone. "They'll eat lizards and snakes, and think they're
stopping at one of the best hotels, with bath an' everything. Or they
can go without eating longer than any human beings I ever saw. In fact
I don't believe they are human. They're imps, that's what they
are--plain imps! If I had my way I'd--"
Rolling Stone gave a sudden jump, and a grunt, the reason for this
action being that Snake Purdee had urged his steed to a place next to
that of the speaker and had given him a jolting punch in the ribs.
"Wha-wha--" stuttered Rolling Stone.
In answer Snake pointed toward Bud and his cousins, on whose faces were
looks of grave alarm as the new acquisition to their forces spoke thus
of the fierce character of the Yaquis.
"Don't get 'em to worrying too much about that there young lady an'
gent what these Indians have carried off," whispered Snake, and it was
well it was he who spoke, and not Yellin' Kid, or our heroes would have
sensed what was up. "Keep it dark," advised Snake. "Keep it dark!
Don't take the heart out of 'em!"
"Oh!" exclaimed Rolling Stone. "I see!"
"Pity you wouldn't," snapped out the cowboy leader. "You got to have a
little consideration for the young fellers!"
Rolling Stone nodded, and then, as if to make amends for what he had
said, he added:
"Course I'm not saying _all_ Yaquis are alike. There may be some half
way, or maybe a quarter way decent. And maybe they've captured this
young lady and gentleman just for ransom. In that case they'll take
good care of 'em."
"Do you think so?" asked Bud, for, truth to tell, he had been greatly
alarmed as he thought of the possible fate of Rosemary and her brother
in the hands of the unprincipled Yaquis.
"Oh, sure!" asserted Rolling Stone, with more conviction than he felt.
"They're after money, these Indians are, or what money will buy. And
they like good U.S. money instead of Mex. dollars which are worth about
fourteen and a half cents a pound just now. So it's to their interests
to treat their captives well, so they'll bring a good price in the
market."
"Good price?" exclaimed Nort. "Do they put them up at auction?"
"No, I didn't mean just that," Rolling Stone hastened to add. "I mean
if they ask a ransom they're bound to keep the prisoners in good shape
for if they don't produce 'em in that same fashion they're likely to
slip up on the reward."
"Then they won't harm Rosemary or Floyd?" asked Dick, whose vivid
imagination had pictured his cousins as being subject to the tortures
of the burning stake.
"Well, of course they won't have feather beds to sleep on," spoke
Rolling Stone slowly, "but I take it your cousins are used to roughing
it, and it will be no worse than a scouting trip for them."
"Yes, I s'pose Floyd is used to camping out," admitted Bud. "But as
for Rosemary--"
"Don't worry, son," advised Snake. "Rosemary is a western girl and you
know what your sister is."
"That's right!" and Bud visibly brightened. "Nell could look after
herself if given half a chance. And maybe we'll catch up to these
Yaquis before very long."
"Sure we will!" asserted Snake, but he and the other cowboys, more
experienced in matters of this sort than our heroes, felt that there
was a grim terror between them and those whom they pursued.
However they had started, and were making as good time as possible.
Messages had passed between Mr. Merkel and those in authority at La
Nogalique, and the probable route of the kidnapping Yaquis was
indicated as well as could be. This saved a long trip to the border in
order to get on the trail of the Indians from the time they had taken
Rosemary and Floyd.
Well armed, with righteous indignation burning in their hearts, used to
roughing it, and with men who knew almost every foot of the country,
the expedition from Diamond X was well equipped for the work in hand.
At first after they started out there was eager talk, and speculation
as to where the Indians would be met with, and what the probable
outcome would be of the fight that was sure to follow.
"Unless they run off when they see us and leave Rosemary and Floyd for
us to bring back," spoke Dick, almost afraid lest this outcome should
prevent a fight.
"Don't worry. They won't run! They'll stand and give us as good or as
bad as we can send," declared Rolling Stone.
"We'll wipe out the band if we get half a chance!" declared Bud, and it
was not said in a bloodthirsty or boastful spirit. It was calm
retribution that actuated our friends.
Along the trail they traveled--a trail they were destined to follow for
weary days and nights. This was only the beginning. They must make
all the speed they could, and yet spare the horses all that was
possible. There was a chance of getting new mounts at several places,
but it was only a chance and could not be depended on. They must save
what they had, both in the way of horseflesh and rations.
Night found them well on their way, and though the boys were eager to
continue, Snake insisted on a halt being made not only for supper but
to give men and horses a needed rest.
"The Indians will have to stop just as we do," said the older cowboy.
"They can't keep on continually; they have to stop and rest."
"Yes, I suppose so," granted Bud.
So the night camp was made, and when the horses had been turned out to
graze, hobbled so they would not stray, and when the evening meal was
over, the party sat about the fires, talking of but one topic--what
would happen when they came up with the Yaquis.
As they were in friendly country, not after cattle rustlers and had no
fear of Del Pinzo and his gang, there was felt to be no need of
standing guard. But for all this Bud, Nort and Dick were a bit
restless, and did not sleep as soundly as the others.
In fact along toward morning, though while it was yet very dark, Nort,
thinking he heard suspicious noises, unrolled from his blanket and
stood up.
"What's the matter?" came in a hoarse whisper from his brother.
"I don't know," answered Nort, in the same hoarse tones. "I thought I
heard something."
"So did I," and Dick scrambled out to stand beside his brother. "Are
the horses all right?"
"I hope so. We're lost without them. Let's take a look and--"
Nort stopped suddenly and pointed to the northern sky. Above the
horizon shone some red sparkles of light skimming and shimmering
through the dark night.
"Shooting stars!" remarked Dick, in a whisper.
"Shooting nothing!" cried Nort, and his voice was loud. "Those are
signals from the Yaquis! Snake! Wake up! We're right close to the
Indians!" he yelled.