"It was probably nothing but a calf by the roadside," said the Senor.
The other shook his head doubtfully, then they turned and rode on towards the rancho.
When they were safely out of range, the party of pirates took up their line of march once more.
"So the greaser took me for a calf," remarked Captain Broom. "If it had been you, Jack Cales, there might be some excuse fer such a mistake."
"Aye, sir," replied Cales, glumly.
"Getting kind of close to the ranch, ain't you, Cap'n?" ventured old Pete.
"I thought of leaving you there, Pete, while the rest of us corralled those kids. You are getting too old for these long tramps."
No more remarks were heard coming from the direction of Pete, for he was not at all sure but that the Captain might, in a moment of irresponsible humor, do just as he threatened without regard to the consequences.
After they had gone on for a mile from the point where the two men had overtaken them, Captain Broom led his party away from the road in a southerly direction, once more undergoing the harrowing experience of getting through the barbed wire fence. But this time Jack Cales was especially detailed by the Captain to get old Pete through so there would not be any unnecessary delay.
It was evident that they were getting into a different section, a short time after they left the road, for they began going up and winding among little rocky hills. At last they came to a stopping place. They climbed up an elevation and sat on some rocks among a group of dark trees.