At
last, to our great comfort, we found it was the right way. Just
before they came up I had an idea I caught a sound from the other
way, but I couldn't have sworn to it. We lay till the troop came
fairly up, as it might be another party of Mexicans; but it was all
right, and we jumped out, with a cheer, into the middle of them.
Mighty surprised they were to see us, on foot, and all dust and
sweat. Rube's face, too, was tied up; and altogether we didn't look
quite ourselves. They all began to talk at once; but I held up my
hand urgent, and when they saw it was something particular they
shut up, and I said to the Cap: 'Don't ask no questions, Cap; I'll
tell you all arterwards. El Zeres with about fifty of his men will
be here in about three minutes, I reckon. They've ridden thirty
miles, and the beasts ain't fresh; so it's your own fault if one
gets away.'
The Cap didn't waste a moment in words. He ordered half his men to
ride back two hundred yards, and to charge when they heard his
whistle; and he and the rest turned off into the wood, which was
very thick, and screened 'em from any one passing. Rube and I, not
having horses, were no good for a charge; so we went on in the
wood, as near as we could guess, halfway between them, so as to be
ready to jump out and join in the skrimmage.
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