CHAPTER XXIII.
A DINNER AND ITS RESULT.
With a shout the Mexicans broke into the clearing which the Americans had just left. They were a motley crowd, not much like the cavalry that forms such a great part of Uncle Sam's army.
"It seems a shame to hurt them," muttered the corporal. "They look as though they would run if you said boo!"
Seeing no one, the Mexicans, some twenty or twenty-five in number, came to a halt and their leaders held a council of war.
The Americans, a couple of rods back in the woods, partly concealed by the trees and partly by the deepening twilight, watched them silently.
After a couple of minutes' confab, the captain of the band gave an order which the boys could not hear and a couple of Mexicans dismounted and began carefully to examine the ground. They were looking for the prints of horses' hoofs.
"Aqui'sta!" exclaimed one of the men on foot, pointing to the ground.
The captain drew near and leaned over from his horse to see more clearly.
He was evidently satisfied, for he straightened up and gave another command and the two horsemen sprang to their saddles.