When the men were satisfied that no weapon remained in the possession of their captive, two or three of them drew aside to consult, while the others guarded Frank.
Cimarron Bill patted Gonchita's cheek with his hand.
"Well done, leetle gal!" he said. "You fooled him powerful slick."
She smiled into Bill's eyes, but in another moment, the chief, having turned away, she was watching Frank again.
The result of the consultation led to the placing of Merry on his own horse, and he was guarded by the armed men who escorted him along the gorge until they came to a place where two men were watching a number of waiting horses.
Then there was mounting and riding away, with Frank in the midst of his triumphant enemies. Gonchita rode with them, having a wiry little pony that seemed able to cope with any of the other horses.
Frank was not a little disgusted because he had been decoyed into the trap, but he did his best to hide his feelings.
It was some hours later that they halted to rest until the heat of the day should pass. A fire was built, and a meal prepared, Gonchita taking active part in this work.
Frank sat near and watched all that was passing. He had not been bound, and his manner was that of one free amid the scoundrels by whom he was surrounded. It was Gonchita who found an opportunity to whisper in his ear: