Every rider carried his gun, and in addition to these weapons Reuben and Jack had tied to the pommels of their saddles some large pieces of tin which had served as the bottoms of certain pans that had been used in the camp.
As soon as they had taken their positions, they threw their bridles over the heads of their horses and climbing to the shelter of the overhanging rocks seated themselves to await the signal that might be given for the approach of the horse they were so eager to capture. Between the places occupied by Reuben and his friend two other men were stationed, but they were hidden from the sight of their companions.
Slowly the afternoon waned, but patience was a lesson which Reuben had learned from the scout. Never yet had he heard an impatient word or a word of complaint escape the lips of Kit Carson. For one whose natural temperament was so fiery, who was so quick in his movements, and so thoroughly alive to every form of physical activity, his powers of repression and self-control were marvellous. In part it was due to his natural disposition, but still more it was the result of his training. The school in which he had studied was hard and the lessons were not taught by a schoolmaster. In order to succeed as a hunter or trapper infinite patience was required. The very success which had attended the efforts of the young scout had been a part of his duties, and Kit Carson had been a diligent pupil. In all his experiences with him the only time Reuben had ever seen him respond to the words of his comrades, which easily aroused the anger of one another, had been the time when Rat had declared that he would thrash any man in the camp who declared himself to be an American.
Even now the recollection of the boaster caused Reuben to smile, and turning to his friend he said: “Do you know what has become of Rat?”
Jack laughed as he said: “I reckon he evaporated. He hasn’t been seen near here nor in these parts for a long time.”
“Do you suppose he will ever try to get even with Kit Carson?”
“I don’t think he will even try any such thing. What he will try hardest to do will be to put all the space he can between him and the scout.”
Reuben laughed as he said: “I wouldn’t have believed that a little fellow like Kit Carson would have dared to fight such a great hulk as Rat.”
“You don’t know him. He’s afraid of nothing on earth, and yet, like other men who are good fighters, he doesn’t fight often. There is a big difference between a man who is always picking a quarrel and one who can put up a good fight.”
“I reckon Rat knows that now.”