CHAPTER XV.
THE RETURN OF THE GOLD HUNTERS.
"Well, boys, we got in like woodchucks by the same hole we came out of," said Colonel Bowie to his men.
"Reckon the lancers are scouting the south prairie after us yet," replied Jim Cheyne.
"They didn't knew about the ravine, Jim," said another ranger. "But ain't I glad we're safe in among the bushes."
Here they were, at all events, plodding along one of the sandy avenues of the chaparral. Both the men and their horses had a worn and jaded look.
"Our tramp's nearly ended," continued the colonel. "The lancers made it a close shave from the Rio Grande to the Nueces, but we've beaten 'em. We know now that Santa Anna is in Texas, and we're back in time to take our part in the fight. We've had good weather to travel in, but so will he. It's getting on into the spring."
"Ugh!" exclaimed Red Wolf, pausing before a tree. "Heap Comanche in bushes. Great Bear sign."
There was a gash upon the tree, such as might be made with a knife. It was a curved line with a notch in the middle, for a bow with an arrow, it might be.