“I shouldn’t wonder if they were; nothing is more likely, but I would be glad if we could find the precise spot.”
It was evident the new arrivals were disappointed at not seeing some one else with the horsemen. It was Maroz who asked:
“Where Mendez—where Cemuri?”
Lieutenant Decker thought the situation warranted a little deception on his part.
“They are watching Geronimo and the rest; they may slay the chief before they come back to us.”
“Chief bad Injun—he kill much white folks—he dog—help kill him.”
This expression would have been comforting could the hearers have believed it honest, for it would have expressed their own sentiments.
“Yes—yes,” replied both, nodding their heads, for the moon having risen meanwhile, their faces were seen quite plainly.
“Well, all you have to do is to set about it. Some of the hostiles are on the other side of the stream and some are off yonder to the westward. Slip in among them and shoot all you can.”