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 nounced, as they waited well withdrawn from the road, screened by the thick bosque.

"Yes; it may be only freighters, I'll ride back for a glimpse of them," Henderson said. "If they are soldiers, we'll let them pass, then go on our way."

"Our way?" Felipe repeated. "But, my general, it will be full of soldiers."

"When I come back," said Henderson, assuring them with a smile.

Henderson dismounted when he had gone a little way on his reconnoitre, thinking his head might be seen above the bushes. The road here wound close against the foot of the hills, flanked by the natural growth of brushwood and small trees, with the rounded top of a dark-green live-oak lifting here and there.

Henderson had his plan of action in mind as he returned to spy out the nature and number of this party that came with so much noise along the road. He recalled how he had surveyed the valley of San Fernando from the mountain as he lay hidden on Helena Sprague's ranch; how the valley came down between the hills to join that of San Gabriel, like a river running into the sea. If these were soldiers, they would lie quiet in the bosque and let them go their way, then he would lead his little party to the mouth of San Fernando valley, around this pass where Roberto's trap was set and waiting.

This course would lead them far from the road