“There are three passes,” continued he at length, “by which we might enter the Indian country from this side. There is, first, the route of the Western Puerco. That would lead us direct to the Navajo towns.”
“And why not take that way?” asked one of the hunters, a Mexican. “I know the route well, as far as the Pecos towns.”
“Because we could not pass the Pecos towns without being seen by Navajo spies. There are always some of them there. Nay, more,” continued Seguin, with a look that expressed a hidden meaning, “we could not get far up the Del Norte itself before the Navajoes would be warned of our approach. We have enemies nearer home.”
“Carrai! that is true,” said a hunter, speaking in Spanish.
“Should they get word of our coming, even though the warriors had gone southward, you can see that we would have a journey for nothing.”
“True, true!” shouted several voices.
“For the same reason, we cannot take the pass of Polvidera. Besides, at this season, there is but little prospect of game on either of these routes. We are not prepared for an expedition with our present supply. We must pass through a game-country before we can enter on the desert.”
“That is true, captain; but there is as little game to be met if we go by the old mine. What other road, then, can we take?”
“There is still another route better than all, I think. We will strike southward, and then west across the Llanos to the old mission. From thence we can go north into the Apache country.”
“Yes, yes; that is the best way, captain.”