For a long distance not a single evidence of the animals’ tracks was to be seen, and the country farther to the west was becoming wild and barren, where the difficulties of his task would be increased tenfold. The hills, rugged and steep, partly covered with a scraggly growth of mesquite and cactus, constantly increased in height. Between them lay narrow, rocky gorges of a gloomy and sullen aspect, overrun with treacherous roots or tangled thickets, the haunts of hordes of vicious mosquitoes and myriads of other insects both winged and crawling.
“Yes, sir! I’ve lost all trace of it,” murmured the lad disconsolately. “If a band of rustlers were really behind those cattle, they must have known a much better route to the Rio than the one I’ve taken.”
From the sloping side of a ridge he could see on every hand a wild and desolate expanse of country; vast, impressive and silent. Now Tom could understand more fully the difficulties under which the Texas Rangers worked. Nature, here, had provided excellent hiding places for outlaws; and as an aid to them in case of discovery there were natural barricades from behind which they could almost defy their enemies.
“It’s a peach of a place for ’em, sure enough,” declared Tom. He slid off his pony’s back, in another moment examining the animal’s injured leg. It had withstood the traveling well, and appeared to be nearly healed.
“Fine!” he commented. Then seating himself on a bit of rock he reflectively gazed up at the pink clouds floating lazily in a field of palish blue. Tom had, of course, been greatly disappointed; his bright visions of lending valuable aid to the Rangers were almost dashed—almost, because, even now, a vague hope seemed to be urging him on. But for thoughts of Bob Somers and the others he would not have hesitated an instant—the Rio Grande, he reflected, couldn’t be so very far away, and once there, possibly something of interest might be discovered.
There was naturally only one result to be expected from the mental arguments which he indulged in with himself. The affirmative side now—a few hours more and his companions would see him again; so why bother further?
“Of course,” cried Tom briskly, “I won’t! I’m all ready now, old chap—let’s be on the move!”
Then began another hard fatiguing journey, with the traveling becoming increasingly difficult.
At length the lad, mopping his perspiring face, was murmuring his intention of making a long halt in the first shade he could find, when the sound of horses’ hoofs, coming from the top of the ridge just above him, instantly drove away all feelings of discomfort.
With a sharp exclamation he pulled up, while thoughts of cattle rustlers and bandits rushed back to his mind in full force. Tom had so completely given up any idea of encountering other human beings in this wild section of the country, that now he felt his nerves beginning to tingle, his heart to beat faster.