Nobody seemed to be hit by that bullet; but the warning shot, long as was the range, compelled one Indian to remark:
"Ugh! Kah-go-mish is a great chief! Pale-face heap wide-awake."
"They've halted, mother, but I didn't hit anybody. Hurrah! Hurrah!"
"What is it, Vic?" anxiously inquired Mrs. Evans. "Do you see anybody else?"
"Not Indians, this time. On the other side. Key and Joaquin. Perhaps they won't dare to ride in."
"Nothing could stop your father."
That was very true, and nothing did. Key and Joaquin had had somewhat the start of him, but had been delayed on the way, repeatedly, by the necessity of keeping out of sight of a dangerous-looking squad of Apaches, so that they were but a little in advance of three more white men who quickly rode up.
"Colorado!" exclaimed one of these. "What's lit on to the ranch?"
It was a fair question for Sam Herrick or any other man to ask. A wide-winged American flag floated proudly from the flagstaff, at the foot of which stood what seemed to be an army officer in very full uniform, cocked hat, epaulets, sword, and all. Another flag fluttered at the gate, and in front of it paced up and down a sentry in uniform, while outside of him, at regular intervals, were ostentatiously stacked a complete company's allowance of muskets, bayonets fixed, ready for service.
"Colorado!" again exclaimed Sam Herrick; but the angry look was fading from the face of his employer. It did not return, even when a score or so of yelling Apaches came out in full view at the right.