The warrior scout was sent in a twinkling, for Indian sagacity understood the keenness of Murray's guess, and it was not long before the news came back that not a sign of an enemy could be discovered among the rocks.
It was a disappointment. The daring invaders had escaped, for there would be no use in following them. The whole Apache nation could hardly have forced the narrow places of that pass against so strong a party of good rifle-men. Neither was there any certainty but what the pale-face miners might be in there somewhere, ready to deal destruction on any Apache who should be so unwise as to ride into such a rocky trap.
The sun arose while they were talking about it, and the Apache braves were already searching the camp for anything which might have been left.
They were not without some success, for the first wagon had not burnt very well, and the Lipans had neither time nor heart to take everything out of it.
"Come, Steve. The miners made their last camp over yonder. I can see a wagon-wheel sticking up."
A quick gallop brought them to all that was left of that second wagon. It had burnt better than the other, but had not been completely consumed.
"If there had been, the Apaches would be here now instead of over yonder. I declare!"
He sprung from his pony, and rushed toward the one hind-wheel which was still upheld by what was left of its broken axle, and by a part of the wagon bottom.
Steve too was on foot, just as the old man gave that wheel a jerk that dragged it several feet from its place.
"Buckskin bags--some of them half burnt. What is that, Murray, in the ashes? Is it gold?"
"More than that, Steve. It's gold coin--twenty-dollar gold pieces. Stow away as many of those little bags as you can before any Apaches come. It's our plunder."
He was picking up several of the little bags, and putting them inside his hunting-shirt when he asked that question.
"Because we're on this war-path, and have found it. The Apaches would rather have ponies; but they may take what we leave, if they want it."
"Doesn't it belong to those miners? Won't they come for it?"
"They would not find it if they did come, but they never will. They'll trust the Apaches and Lipans too well for that. Besides, it never was theirs. They stole every cent of it."