In three minutes
the saddles were transferred, and the party again ready for fight
or flight.
"What next, papa?"
"We turned to the right, and rather toward home, when we started;
so the Indian halting-place is to the southeast of us, is it not?"
"Yes, papa; as near as may be," Charley said, making out the points
with some difficulty on the pocket compass, one of which they each
carried, as the danger of being lost upon the pathless pampas is
very great.
"We had ridden about two miles when I got my fall, so we are a mile
to the west of their camp. We will ride now a couple of miles due
north. The Indians are sure to send out a scout to see whether we
have returned home, and our track will lead them to believe that we
have. It is dusk now. We shall get three hours' rest before we have to
move."
It was perfectly dark before they reached their halting-place. The
saddles were again loosened, a little Indian corn, moistened with
water, given to the horses, and another slight meal taken by
themselves. The boys, by Mr. Hardy's orders, though sorely against
their own wishes, then lay down to get a couple of hours' sleep;
while Mr. Hardy went back about a hundred yards along the trail
they had made on coming, and then turned aside and sat down at a
distance of a few yards to watch, in case any Indian should have
followed up their trail.
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