"Horses!" exclaimed Colonel Evans. "I'm not thinking about horses."
"Cal is not in their hands," said the captain. "We must hunt for him. I think, too, that we shall find him. It is not my duty to cross the boundary line after Colonel Romero's lost mules."
"Of course not. Nor for mine either. Kah-go-mish is evidently not the kind of red-skin to be easily caught by anybody."
"Perfect old fox!" said the captain, with strong emphasis. "But then he has the boundary line to help him."
It was a curious fact, but the three Chiricahua scouts considered themselves entirely at liberty to feel elated at the victory obtained by Apaches of another band over the traditional Mexican enemies of their race.
"Ugh!" said the old brave to Ping and Tah-nu-nu. "The-boy-whose-ear-pushed-away-a-piece-of-lead is the son of a great chief."
The evening which passed under such remarkable circumstances in the neighborhood of Cold Spring was uncommonly long and busy at the Santa Lucia ranch.
Tallow was abundant where so many cattle were raised and slaughtered every season, and Mrs. Evans prided herself upon her skill in the manufacture of candles. Whatever other comforts of life in the settlements were lacking in the old hacienda, there was always plenty of illumination after nightfall. There was usually but a short time for candle-light in June, for people who arose so soon after daylight were accustomed to go to bed early. On this particular evening, however, the parlor wore a very brilliant appearance for two hours longer than ordinary.
The first look at the precious things brought by the tilted wagon had been only a look, and every article had to undergo another inspection.
All were dropped at last, or, rather, there they lay, except such things as were under Norah McLory's care, all scattered around the room.
"I can't help it," said Mrs. Evans; "I feel uneasy about Cal."
"So do I, mother," said Vic, leaning back, upon the sofa; "but you never said as much before."
"Somehow I didn't feel so, Vic; but it seems to me--Well, I do wish he could be here, looking over his new books, instead of away out there."
"We sha'n't hear from him for ever so long," said Vic. "All sorts of things might happen and we not know it."