"But we cannot haul kegs enough to supply the animals."
"It will not be difficult to cross the desert now that we are acquainted with it and know what to expect. We will follow the army rule in such cases, and I think you will find it interesting to let experience answer your question."
Just as we were going to bed Mr. Baldwin arrived from La Paz. He informed me that Texas Dick and Jumping Jack were there, and in possession of the black and cream colored ponies; that there was to be a horse-race the following afternoon, and the ponies had been entered. At this news the boy sergeants became much excited, and proposed a dozen impracticable ways of going on at once and seizing their property.
Baldwin said he had talked the matter over with Mr. Gray, and the merchant had advised that we give out a report in La Paz that we were there on the transportation and storehouse business only, and make no immediate attempt to capture the ponies. He said the town was full of the friends of the horse-thieves, and that all our movements would be closely watched and reported to them. If they became alarmed they would probably run across the Mexican boundary at once. He thought that by waiting a little and learning where the horses were kept we should be more likely to regain them than by hurrying.
"But why cannot we attend the race, with the escort, as spectators, and seize them?" asked Frank.
"That is a move they will be sure to be looking for. If any of you go to the race, I believe neither of those men or the ponies will be there."
I was inclined to believe Baldwin right. I told him to return to La Paz before daylight and circulate the report that I was coming, and for the purpose he had mentioned. I also requested him to watch Jack and Dick, and if he saw any signs of flight to come and meet me. He left for La Paz a little after midnight, reaching there at four o'clock the following morning. We were met on the out-skirts of the town by Mr. Baldwin, who told us Mr. Gray expected us to be his guests during our stay, and that his corral and store-rooms were at the service of the men and stock.
Going directly to Mr. Gray's house, we were welcomed by the hospitable trader to his substantial bachelor quarters. He stood upon his veranda when we drove up, and conducted us in person to pleasant rooms, assigning the boys one to themselves, in which were many evidences that he had been looking forward to their visit and understood boyish needs and pleasures.
Henry, after changing his travelling suit for a bright uniform, appeared upon the veranda with glowing face and shining hair.
"Mr. Gray, how pleasant you have made that room for Frank and me? Have you any boys of your own?" he asked.