“I am hopeful that he came across some of the soldiers before going that far.”
“He may have met Maroz and Ceballos.”
“It is possible, but he was as distrustful of them as we, and would have avoided them.”
“He was well mounted, but those two scamps are treacherous. They have proved it to the satisfaction of Mendez, whose testimony ought to hang them.”
“It ought to, but it won’t. He overheard enough to show their disloyalty, but he did not see them commit any overt act, and they would plead that they were compelled to pretend a friendship to the hostiles to save their lives.”
“It was fortunate that you sent them off so promptly, for as long as they were in our company there is no saying what evil they would work. Lieutenant, why not repeat the signal you made some time ago?”
“The suggestion is a good one. If it doesn’t bring the boys it may add to Geronimo’s uneasiness.”
Again pointing his Winchester skyward, the young officer discharged it as before—two shots in quick succession, followed by a third at a longer interval.
And this time there was a reply!