The ruffians now came out from the shelter of the rocks and gathered about the youth, grinning at him in a most provoking manner. He recognized several of the same fellows who had once before acted as[Pg 107] guard over him. Red Sam was there, and nodded to him.
"You're a right slick poker-player," said the sandy rascal; "but we 'lowed a girl'd fool ye easy. Goncheeter done it, too."
Frank nodded.
"She did," he confessed. "I was taken off my guard. But you want to look out for Indians."
"Why for?"
Merry then told them of the smoke signals, whereupon they grinned at one another knowingly.
"That'll be all right," said Bill. "Them signals told us when you was comin', an' which way."
"Then you were doing the signaling?"
"Some o' the boys."
Frank was then ordered down and searched. He appeared utterly fearless. He observed that Gonchita was watching him closely, a strange look in her eyes, her lips slightly parted, showing her milky, pointed teeth.