Perhaps he might not have done so if he had read one other piece of paper that the young officer wrote for his Colonel to sign; or if he had seen it handed to a lancer, who rode away with it at full speed along the precise path the Colonel was describing.
It was addressed, with many titles and formalities, to "General Vincente Garcia," and it was delivered by the lancer-postman within three hours.
Captain Skinner and his men knew nothing about that, and when noon came they found a capital camping place precisely as it had been described to them.
"Cap, do you hear that? If it ain't another bugle, you can shoot me."
More than one was heard within the next half-hour, and three consecutive squadrons of lancers rode within sight.
As soon as they saw the miners a halt was ordered and a consultation held. In a few moments a couple of officers approached.
It was their duty, they said, with many apologies. General Garcia desired to know who were his neighbors, and so forth.
The Colonel's "safe-conduct" was shown them, and they actually touched their hats when they read it.
It was entirely satisfactory. The General would be glad to sign the safe-conduct himself, as the officer in supreme command of the district.