“It did you no good.”
“On the contrary, it convinced him that I was up to his tricks and caused him to withdraw without any more attempts against me.”
During these minutes, the two maintained their watchfulness. The words were spoken in low tones, and, while the lieutenant was relating his reminiscence, he continually glanced from side to side. The fact that all remained tranquil confirmed the two in their growing belief that nothing was to be feared from the Apaches.
“It must be growing late,” finally remarked Freeman, “and Mendez, it seems to me, is overdue.”
The lieutenant drew out his watch, but the moonlight was not strong enough for him to discern the figures.
“I’m bound to know the time,” he said, removing his cap, so as to shade the light of the match which he drew from the small rubber safe he always carried and scraped it across the face of the rock.
“That’s risky business,” whispered his companion.
“That’s the reason I’m doing it,” replied the officer, speaking more truthfully than he suspected. “But it shan’t give much help to any of the fellows lurking near.”
Before the twist of flame could assume shape a puff of the breath extinguished it.
“It’s later than I suspected,” he remarked.