“We have been following you most of the day,” said Strubell, “but your horse went so fast we couldn’t overtake you, and, when you slowed him down, we concluded to let you go ahead, while we learned what you were driving at.”
“When you are at this business,” added Lattin, “you want to keep an eye to the rear as well as to the front.”
The Texans had their own ponies with them, and, so far as could be judged in the gloom, were suffering no ill effect from their sharp brush with their enemies the night before.
“Why did you take my horse?” asked Herbert.
“We wanted to give you a little scare, but you came back sooner than we expected. I followed after you, and, while you were viewing the camp fire, I did the same. I walked in front of you on the return, but your Jill was tied so fast that it took me longer than I expected to unfasten him.”
“Did you see Belden at the camp up the ravine?”
“No; and you didn’t either, for he isn’t there.”
“Who are those fellows?”
“One is Jim-John the half breed, and the other a fellow named Brindage—Homer Brindage, I believe.”
“They belong to Rickard’s gang?”