“Didn’t you see anybody while you were watching the trail?” inquired Philip.
“Yes; there was somebody went by on horseback.”
“Was there a small, dark-colored mute following the horse? Then it was the boy you were looking for, and you let him go by.”
“Of course. You told us to look out for a boy on foot!”
“So I did,” said Philip, after reflecting a moment. “I didn’t think, at the time, that he would be likely to find his horse and mule, but it seems he did. However, you’ve got a chance to try your hands again. George has just started for Brownsville!”
Both the men uttered ejaculations when they heard this, and one of them began to roll up his poncho.
“There are three of them together,” continued Philip, “but you will have no trouble in recognising George when you find them. He’s the largest of the lot, wears a red shirt and high boots, and rides a black horse. You want to look out for that same black horse, for if you give him the least show he’ll carry George so far out of your reach that you’ll never see him again. He’s just lightning. Your best plan would be to wait until the boys go into camp, and then jump down on them before they know it. Hold fast to George when you get him, but don’t harm the other two. Don’t waste your time, either, in following the big trail. Put for the river as fast as you can, and there’s where you will find them.”
While Philip was giving these commands the men were busy rolling up their blankets and ponchos and making their preparations for an immediate departure. Their horses, which were staked out close by, were quickly caught and saddled, and when all were mounted, Philip led the way out of the timber. He paused when he reached the open ground long enough to add a few words more to the instructions he had already given, and then galloped off toward the rancho, while the Americans rode away in pursuit of George.
When Philip reached home he put his horse into the corral and let himself into the kitchen without being seen by anybody. After making sure that the rest of the servants had retired for the night, he hastened along the hall to the office, at the door of which he paused for a moment to listen. He heard the sound of footsteps passing back and forth at regular intervals, but there was no murmur of conversation, and so Philip knew that the man he wanted to see was alone. He entered without taking the trouble to knock, and having closed the door and pushed the bolt into its socket, he hung his sombrero upon the knob to cover the key-hole. Uncle John, who was walking restlessly about the room, turned quickly and hastened forward to greet him.
“Philip, I am overjoyed to see you,” he exclaimed. “Where have you been? I have hunted the house over to find you. Do you know what has happened here to-night?”