From the mound on the prairie Cal showed them how the cattle and horses were stampeded. Then they went to the timber and the fallen trees where he and Sam "stood off" the Apaches. Then they rode away down to where Sam had first been swarmed around by the Mescaleros, and there was Sam to tell about it.
"Colorado!" remarked he, "but didn't they butcher a lot of cattle! They got about a dozen mules, thirty good hosses, and sixty or seventy second-rates and ponies. Mounted their whole band, I reckon!"
"I don't care so much about that," said Mrs. Evans, but she was looking at Cal just then.
"Vic," said Cal, "you was three years at school, away off there in the settlements, and so was I."
"No Indians there," said Vic.
"Good thing you was," said Sam. "I never had any schooling. Hope you learned a heap."
"Hope I did," said Cal, "but I tell you what, it seems to me as if I'd learned more in one day's riding."
"Well, yes, like enough," replied Sam, "more of one kind. Glad you didn't learn how an arrer feels. I did, once. Bullet, too. Tell you what, though, if you go on the trail with your father and the captain, I reckon you'll learn some more."
"I've seen a great many Indians," began Vic, "but they were all friendly except—"
"Colorado!" suddenly exclaimed Sam. "Four of 'em! Heading right for us! Don't shoot, Cal. Keep a good ready, but don't throw lead if you can help it. It beats me!"