After supper he passed me a cigar. "Chalkeye," said he, "give these boys as much sleep as you can. At midnight you pull out of camp for Wolf Gap; strike in there at the first streak of dawn, gather the whole of our horses, then run them as hard as you can to Holy Cross, and throw them into the house."
"No, horse rustlers. Bryant gave me the office that some outlaws have come down from Utah. They've heard of our half-bred ponies, and they're in need of remounts."
"We've only two days' forage at the house."
"After to-morrow let the herd into the home pasture under a strong guard by day. Throw them into the house every night, and post a relief of sentries on the roof. We mustn't--haw, allow the poor robbers to fall into temptation, so see that the men have--er plenty of ammunition."
"If they do they will have to drive slow, and Bryant will hold the railway-line in force, with troops if necessary, er--Chalkeye!"
"A friend of mine has turned this gang loose on my stock. There's been crooked work."
"The birds. I want leave to go shoot Ryan."
"Indeed, ah! I've promised my wife not to--er shoot Mr. Ryan." He stood up and grabbed my paw. "Chalkeye, we must try to behave like--er Christians, for her sake. Now I must be off. You'll find me at Holy Cross."
At noon next day I brought our herd to Holy Cross, and watered all the horses at the dam below the house. This dam crossed a small hollow holding some two or three acres of water, directly under the western wall of the Hacienda. Some old trees sheltered the water, and one of these had been blown down by a gust of wind. As I drove the _remuda_ to the gates, one of the mares got snarled up in the wrecked tree, broke her leg, and had to be shot. Then I threw the herd into the stable-court, and went to my quarters.
I reckon that I had been thirty-four hours in the saddle, and used up five horses, so I wanted much to get my eye down for a little sleep. While the _peon_ pulled off my boots I gave orders mixed with yawns to my segundo.
"Take charge, Teniente, and report my obedience to El Señor Don Rex. Post a guard of four in the gate-house, close the gates, and place a relief of sentries on the North-west Bastion. If the sentry sees anybody coming, the guard is to call me at once. See that my riders get sleep till sundown, then send a couple of them to haul that dead mare from the water-hole."