"There's nothing else to do," decided Rhodes crisply. "If you don't beat it with Pardner, we'll lose him, sure! I'm going to take these Indians back, and you can help most by waiting north of the line till you hear from me. I'll get word to you at Granados. So, if there should be any trouble with these visitors of ours, your trail is clear;--savvy?"
Two men rode into view in the bend of the arroya. A cartridge belt across each shoulder, and one around each waist, was the most important part of their equipment.
"_Buenos dias_, señors," said one politely, while his little black eyes roved quickly over the group. "Is there still water to be found in the well here? _Dios!_ it is the heat of hell down there in the valley."
"At your service, señor, is water fresh drawn," said Rhodes, and turned to the girl, "Oija, Tulita!--water for the gentlemen. You ride far, señor?"
"Yes, I know the brand," remarked Rhodes.
"This is a good season in which to avoid too much knowledge, or too good a memory, señor," observed the man who had not spoken. "Many herds will change hands without markets before tranquility is over in Mexico."
"I believe you, señor, and we who have nothing will be the lucky ones," agreed Rhodes, regarding the man with a new interest. He was not handsome, but there was a something quick and untamed in his keen, black eyes, and though the mouth had cruel hard lines, his tone was certainly friendly, yet dominating.
"What have you here?" he asked with a gesture toward Miguel.
"My Indian who tried to save his women from slavers, and was left for dead," stated Rhodes frankly.
He pointed to the girl filling again the water bottles.
"She is mine, señor. We go to our own homes."
"Hum! you should be enlisted in the fights and become capitan, but these would drop by the trail if you left them. Well, another time perhaps, señor! For the water many thanks. _Adios!_" and with wave of the hand they clattered down the arroya.
"Queer," muttered Rhodes, "did you catch that second chap signal to the gun man in the cactus? He craw-fished back over the mesa and faded away."
"They didn't come for water alone--some scouten' party trailin' every sign found," decided Pike. "I'll bet they had us circled before the two showed themselves. Wonder who they are after?"