“The Pedregal!” he added, in a cheerful voice, “and glad am I to see it. I’ve to thank old Vulcan or Pluto for making such a place. It has saved my life once before, and I trust will do the same now, for all of us. But we must be quick about it. Adelante!”
The horses were urged into a final spurt of speed, and soon after arrived at the base of the rocky escarpment, which would have barred them further advance in that direction, had the intention been to take them on. But it was not.
“We must part from them, now,” said Rivas. “Dismount all!”
All four slipped off together, Rock taking hold of both bridles, as if he waited to be told what to do.
“We mustn’t leave them here,” said the Mexican. “They might neigh, and so guide our pursuers to the spot. In another hour, or half that, we needn’t care; it’ll be dark then—”
He interrupted himself, seeming to reflect, which, the Texan observing, said to Kearney—
“He weeshes the anymals sent off, do he?”
“Just that, Cris.”
“I war thinkin’ o’ thet same, meself. The groun’ for a good spell back hez been hard as flint, an’ we hain’t left
