Lost with Lieutenant Pike / How from the Pawnee Village the boy named Scar Head marched with the young American Chief clear into the Snowy Mountains; how in the dead of winter they searched for the Lost River and thought that they had found it; and how the Spanish Soldiery came upon them and took them down to Santa Fé of New Mexico, where another surprise awaited them

by Edwin L. Sabin

“His Excellency Governor Alencaster requests the pleasure of a talk with you at Santa Fe, señor,” said the elder officer, with a smile, to the lieutenant. “He is desirous of entertaining you and learning the story of your journey. For your accommodation he has provided me with one hundred animals, to carry your baggage.”

“I thank His Excellency, but it is impossible for me to accept the invitation,” replied Lieutenant Pike, seating himself again. “I can only send him my apologies for trespassing, by mistake, upon his domain. I will wait here merely until the return of my sergeant and the remainder of my company, and then withdraw at once to American soil. My orders forbid me entering into Spanish territory.”

“His Excellency will be much distressed not to see you, señor,” the officer insisted. “I must beg of you to take advantage of our escort. Otherwise I cannot answer for your safety.”

At this, the lieutenant straightened, and his eyes flashed.

“My safety will be attended to, sir. I shall not move until the safety of my sergeant and party, some of whom may be suffering, is assured also. Do I understand that your intent is to use force to convey me to the governor?”

The officer spread his hands and shook his head.

“No, no, señor! Not in the least. But it is necessary that for the information of the governor-general the governor of New Mexico should receive from you personally an explanation of your presence within his frontier, that he may send in the proper report. If you wish to go with us now, very well; or if you wish to wait for the return of your other party, very well. But in that case we shall be obliged to obtain more provisions from Santa Fe, and dispatch a small number for that purpose.” Even Stub, who had been listening agog, and catching most of the words, knew that this meant reinforcements. “If you decide to march with us now,” the officer added, “I will leave here an Indian who speaks English, and a part of my dragoons, to greet your sergeant and escort him and his men to join you at Santa Fe.”

The lieutenant bit his lip and fidgeted. He was of two minds; but one thing was certain: he could not get rid of these Spanish without a big fight. And the worst of that would be, that he was an invader and had broken the law.

He did not hesitate long.