The road the following day was so rough that for much of the way we were unable to move faster than a walk, the slow walk of draught animals. Small fragments of granite filled the track, making it impossible to trot. When near a place called Soldiers' Holes, on account of some rifle-pits sunk there, the Corporal called my attention to a pool of blood in the road. Instantly the boys and I thought the gallant young courier had met with death. Leaving the ambulance we examined the locality thoroughly. Moccasin tracks filled a clump of sage-brush on the left, and a few crossed to the pool of blood. Tracks of two horses and a mule, and shoes of white men mingled with the others.
The signs showed that two men had fallen, that one had been wounded, and that a second party had come and taken the wounded man away. The place was well adapted for a surprise. On the left was a long dense growth of low shrubbery extending from the road to the foot of a mountain-range. On the opposite side was an open plain.
We were going on again when Frank remarked,
"There seems to have been a big gathering of Apaches along this road."
"Yes; a war party must be out, bent upon serious mischief. They have struck at two points, and I fear a third--Date Creek--may have been attacked by this time. That is where we are to stay to-night." Then, turning to Corporal Duffey, I continued: "The road from here to the creek is softy and loamy, and we are not likely to make much noise; keep the men quiet. If the Indians are at the ranch, it will be best for us to appear unexpectedly."
"Do Indians never stand up like white men in a fight?" the younger boy asked.
"Frequently; but their system is different from ours--although modern tactics seem to be adopting Indian methods, and the white man fights in open lines, lies down, and creeps in a manner he formerly condemned."
Although this section of our march was but twenty-five miles long, our rate of progress had been so slow that the day was nearly closed before we came in sight of the line of cottonwoods that bordered Date Creek. We turned at last sharply to the left, and began a descent through a narrow ravine towards the creek. We were nearing its widening mouth when a half-dozen sharp reports of fire-arms broke upon our ears. A halt was ordered, and the men directed to prevent the animals from betraying our presence by whinnying or braying. Directing Sergeant Henry to remain behind and keep Vic with him, I went on in advance with Sergeant Frank.