As the hours wore away, and the rancho was left farther and farther behind, and all fears of pursuit died away, Ned’s spirits and courage all came back to him, and he began to speak of the events of the night and the incidents that led to them as a “lark” that was just a little ahead of anything he had ever heard of. He seemed to forget all about Gus, who took no part in the conversation. Now and then George turned about in his saddle, and addressed some remark to him, but Gus replied only in monosyllables, and George, finding that he did not feel in the humor for talking, left him to the companionship of his own thoughts.
It was an hour after daylight when the boys came within sight of the woods which lined the banks of the Rio Grande. By this time Ned and Gus were completely tired out, and even George began to show signs of weariness. They were all glad of a chance to rest, and believed they would be the better for a few hours’ refreshing sleep. They staked out their horses in the edge of the timber, spread their blankets and ponchos on the ground, and throwing themselves down upon them, went to sleep almost immediately.
There was no one in sight when they went into camp, for George took particular pains to satisfy himself of this fact; but for all that there were two persons near enough at hand to observe all their movements. They had been on the trail of the fugitives for more than half an hour, following behind them at a respectful distance, and making use of every inequality in the ground to conceal them from the view of the boys, should any of them chance to look behind. When the travellers staked out their horses one of them was lying on the summit of the nearest ridge, looking at them over the top of the grass. When he had seen all he cared to see he returned to his companion, who sat on his horse at the foot of the swell awaiting the result of his observations, and the two rode along under cover of the ridge until they reached the woods, about half a mile above the place where the boys had made their camp. Keeping their horses in a rapid walk they moved along just outside the timber, and were soon discovered by Ranger, who lifted his head and gave them a good looking over. But he raised no alarm thinking, no doubt, if he were able to think at all, that as it was daylight his master ought to be able to take care of himself.
When they had approached a little nearer the two men put their horses into a gallop, and dashed into camp. One of them threw his bridle to his companion, and swinging himself out of his saddle hurried up to George and placed his hand on his shoulder just as the boy, aroused out of a sound sleep by the clatter of the horses’ hoofs, raised himself on his elbow to see what was the matter. He saw a bearded face bending over him, and felt a strong grasp on his collar. His two companions were sitting up on their blankets looking on with mouths and eyes wide open. Ned probably did not consider this incident a part of the “lark” he had been talking about, for he was trembling like a leaf.
“Who are you, and what are you doing here?” demanded George, as soon as he could speak.
“We’re somebody who won’t harm you so long as you do just as you’re told!” replied the man. “We came after you—that’s what’s we are doin’ here!”
“Well, now that you have found me, what do you want with me?” asked George.
“We want you to get on your hoss an’ take a ride with us. Thar’s somebody over on the other side of the river who wants to see you powerful bad!”
George arose slowly to his feet and looked first at the man who held him by the collar, and then at the man who sat in his saddle. He knew who they were before he asked them, and he knew, too, who it was on the other side of the river who wanted to see him. He was caught at last, and there was no chance for escape. There was but one course open to him, and that was to submit and trust to luck.
“Answer another question while you are about it,” said George. “Are you Fletcher’s men?”