They had now turned into the narrow trail among the bushes and had only ridden a few steps when Jo called a sudden halt.
"What do you think, Jim, there's my horse and Tom's tied in that thicket."
Sure enough there they were, utterly worn out, but with spirit enough to recognize their old comrades Jim and Jo, and if ever horses expressed a welcome these two did when they first caught sight of their two friends.
"They have cut the saddles to pieces, the brutes," exclaimed Jo.
"I'm glad to get the horses," said Jim, "I am surprised that they didn't cut their throats."
"They will follow us all right," said Jo, in reply to the Spaniard's suggestion that they would have to be led, and they trotted along behind Jo, who was the last one in line.
"Do you know of any place where we could buy things?" asked Jim. "We need a new outfit."
"But we have no money," put in Jo quickly.
"I will get the money or its equivalent today," said Jim. "If there is a store where the Senor can get me credit."
"Yes, there is a store where a Portugee sells about everything that we need in this country," replied the Spaniard. "It is some distance to the north. We will ride there before we return to the ranch. There will be no difficulty about the credit," he concluded, with a bow to Jim.