"No; you stay here and watch the boy, and I'll go back and sell out. Anastacio Barella will buy. Look sharp that the young soldier does not send a message by his dog. I have heard strange stories of her. I will bring down something for our supper."
Dick galloped away, leaving the Mexican and Henry to await his return. As the darkness deepened in the river-bottom the boy's thoughts grew more and more despondent. When he heard the men forming their plans of escape he had thought of sending a message to the Lieutenant by Vic, and his hopes had risen with the prospect of causing the arrest of Dick in town, and the pursuit and capture of Juan at the race-course. But Dick's last caution to his comrade had shattered all. He realized that by his disobedience of what he knew to be the Lieutenant's wishes he had brought disgrace upon himself, and ruined every chance of recovering the ponies.
It was night when Dick returned and reported to his fellow thief that he had made an advantageous sale of their gambling property.
"Now, kid, yer kin slope," said he, addressing the disheartened lad. "Tell th' Liftinint that he can look for us at Hermosilla, on th' other side ther bound'ry. Good-by."
Henry hurried away toward La Paz, with Vic close at his heels. There was no occasion for haste, for he felt that nothing in the town could overtake the lost Sancho and Chiquita. Still he hurried and stumbled along in the darkness.
"Oh, Vicky," said the boy, in his misery, stooping to pat her head, "I ought to be reduced to the ranks, and dishonorably discharged from the service for this. I have done very wrong. I've lost the ponies for good."
The dog licked his hand sympathetically, and then suddenly bounded away, barking, and Henry heard Frank's voice say,
"Why, Tom, here's Vic!"
"Thin Sargint Hinery must be near," said the soldier.
"Yes, I'm here, Frank—and oh, Frank, I'm in such trouble!" And in a curiously jumbled and half-incoherent manner Henry related his afternoon's adventures.