“What method do you propose?”
“We’ll turn back and ride off, as if we had given up a useless task, or have started after reinforcements. The Apaches will vote us sensible men for doing so. Then we must manage to get to the other side without discovery, and with the help of Mendez will try to track them to their hiding place.”
A comparison of views showed a unanimous agreement that this was the best course to follow. Mendez, to whom the others looked with special confidence, nodded his head several times and told them nothing else would do. They would probably have to wait until night before setting out in earnest, but that was far better than to swim the river, when sure of being seen.
To emphasize his words, the dusky scout now pointed across the stream and uttered the single exclamation:
“See dere!”
All eyes followed the direction of the extended finger and their hearts sank at what met their gaze.
“The very thing I have been dreading from the start!” was the disappointed exclamation of Lieutenant Decker.