“The Lizard, I think, is with Jack and the girl. He seems to have turned his own horse loose and taken the Mexican’s. Marta is riding her pinto. They have taken the pack mule.”
As Natachee finished, Mrs. Burton called them to dinner.
While they were eating, the Indian asked the Doctor about Thad’s condition.
“I cannot say yet, as to his complete recovery,” returned Saint Jimmy, “but I feel reasonably sure that he will pull through all right. I am quite certain that he will regain consciousness for a time at least. But the Mexican has no chance. He will live for several days, perhaps, but the end is certain.”
“Good!” said Natachee. “You and Mrs. Burton will stay here until Edwards and I return, will you?”
“Indeed we will,” returned Mother Burton quickly.
“Good!” said the Indian again. “We should be back the morning of the fourth day.”
“We will save time getting started if we take your horses. The Pardners’ horses are out on the range somewhere--and to go to Wheeler’s for help would mean the sheriff.”
“They are yours. Take them, of course,” said Doctor Burton and his mother in a breath.
“We will take a little food for to-night and to-morrow,” continued the Indian, “and a canteen of water. With a little grain for the horses and the Pardners’ guns, that will be all, except”--he smiled grimly--“my bow and arrows.”
What madness to think that Natachee could ever find them in that seemingly infinite space.
The trail, left by Sonora Jack, led Edwards and Natachee down the creek and out of the cañon by the old road. But a mile or two beyond the crossing, the outlaw had left the road for a course more to the west through the foothills. And here, in the soft ground where there were no other tracks, the marks of the horse’s iron-shod feet were very clear, even to the white man. But when Edwards would have urged his mount forward, the Indian checked him.
“There are many miles of desert ahead of us, my friend,” said Natachee. “I must not permit your impatience to rob us of our horses before our journey is half finished.”
Reluctantly Edwards restrained himself, and the Indian, riding a little in advance, set the pace.
They had not gone far when Natachee pulled up his horse, and springing from his saddle, held up his hand for his companion to stop.