“I must compliment Vassar,” said the professor, bowing his angular form. But he had forgotten that he was riding bareback and was not the most accomplished of horsemen in any event. His attempt at courtliness almost caused his downfall, for, losing his balance, he would have slipped from his gaunt steed if he had not grasped it desperately by the wither lock with one hand while his arm encircled its neck.
From this undignified position he was rescued by Coyote Pete, who spurred swiftly to his side,—it will be recalled that Coyote had saved his spurs out of the general loss of property—and aided him to recover his balance.
They all had the grace to refrain from laughing, although the temptation was a sore one. The man of science, glancing suspiciously about him, was unable to detect the shadow of a smile on any of their faces, although the senorita did find it necessary to lean over and adjust her stirrup leather. When she looked up, however, her face was quite demure.
From time to time, as they rode forward over the level savannah, they glanced behind them. But the intervals grew longer as the distance between them and the Mexicans increased, and there was still no sign of pursuit.
“I guess they’ve discovered our escape, all right,” said Jack, “but don’t venture to chase us toward the town.”
“That’s it, I reckon,” said Coyote Pete, “and in any event, with our horses we could outdistance them all with a mile start.”
“All of them except that big black of Ramon’s,” said Jack.
“Guess you’re right,” agreed Coyote, “I’d like to know if there air any relatives of that animal hangin’ around. I’d buy ’em if it bust me. You don’t meet up with a bit of horseflesh like that every day of your life.”
An hour later, without any incident worthy of mention having occurred, they clattered through the sleeping town of Santa Anita, and, as daylight broke wanly, they found themselves outside the white walls surrounding the princely hacienda of the wealthy Don Alverado. But if the town was asleep, all seemed to be awake here. Lights could be seen flashing in the house which stood on a small eminence some distance from the outer walls.