"Yes; a war party must be out, bent upon serious mischief. They have struck at two points, and I fear a third—Date Creek—may have been attacked by this time. That is where we are to stay to-night." Then, turning to Corporal Duffey, I continued: "The road from here to the creek is softy and loamy, and we are not likely to make much noise; keep the men quiet. If the Indians are at the ranch, it will be best for us to appear unexpectedly."
"Do Indians never stand up like white men in a fight?" the younger boy asked.
"Frequently; but their system is different from ours—although modern tactics seem to be adopting Indian methods, and the white man fights in open lines, lies down, and creeps in a manner he formerly condemned."
Although this section of our march was but twenty-five miles long, our rate of progress had been so slow that the day was nearly closed before we came in sight of the line of cottonwoods that bordered Date Creek. We turned at last sharply to the left, and began a descent through a narrow ravine towards the creek. We were nearing its widening mouth when a half-dozen sharp reports of fire-arms broke upon our ears. A halt was ordered, and the men directed to prevent the animals from betraying our presence by whinnying or braying. Directing Sergeant Henry to remain behind and keep Vic with him, I went on in advance with Sergeant Frank.
"What do you think is going on?" asked my companion, as several more reports rang out.
"What I feared; the Apaches are attacking the men who went out to bring in the dead or wounded men at Soldiers' Holes."
"And if Mr. Baldwin was not the wounded man there, I suppose he is sure to be in this scrape. Why not rush in with the escort and frighten them away?"
"No doubt we could frighten them if they are not too many," I answered; "but we have good reason to believe that they are out in force, and it will be prudent for us to learn the situation at the ranch before we go nearer. I want to join the white men without the Indians' knowledge, if possible. Our presence seems to be unknown to both parties."
"Then Mr. Baldwin must be the man killed."
"He may be there, and the men may know we are on the road; but it certainly does not look like it."