Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 2.djvu/34

12 crossed his mind for the recovery of his baggage.

With the utmost caution he removed the accumulation of soft and decayed matter from the lower part of the roof; then after examining his weapons he noiselessly sprang upwards with all his strength, gained the top of the mud and adobe wall and dropped down on the outside. Taking advantage of the darkness, he then carefully proceeded by the side of the rocks, to a spot with which he was well acquainted—where several paths met, at some distance on the right of the inhospitable hut. Here he paused, and taking a pistol from his belt, fired it without more ado into the air; trusting to attract the attention of his assailants, and draw them from the hut. Nor was he mistaken in his calculation; for ere he had time to regain the rancho by a circuitous route, he had the satisfaction of seeing what he believed to be the whole party scouring the several paths in the distance, to ascertain the cause of such an unlooked for disturbance of their plans.

On entering the hut, however, he found that the old Indian had been left behind to guard the supposed prisoner and his property; but