CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.
ONCE MORE UPON CRUSADER.
Henry Tresillian has hardly advanced a hundred yards from the cliff,when the Indian party, turning northward, passes close to the spot wherehe had been let down. Luckily not so close as to observe the rope stillhanging there, and far enough from himself to hinder their seeing him.For the obscurity makes it impossible to distinguish objects unless verynear.
Neither sees he them, nor has any suspicion of their dangerousproximity; and without stop or stay he keeps on towards the point wherehe expects to find his horse.
He goes not without a guide. At the latest hour of twilight he had seenCrusader about a mile off, in a direction due west; and although thenight is dark, some of the stars are visible, among them the Polar.With this on his right shoulder he cannot mistake the way, so continueson in confidence.
He knows he will not need to go groping about, if the horse be stillthere, as it is hoped he is: a peculiarly intoned call with a whistlewill bring him up from far as he can hear it. Many a time has hismaster, while hunting on the hills round Arispe, so summoned Crusader tohis side.
He has advanced more than half a mile, and is thinking whether he shallnot give the signal and put an end to all uncertainty. He should now benear enough for it to be heard, and it will tell him if the animal bestill there or has wandered away to some other part of the _llano_. Inthe latter case all his labours will be lost, and no alternative lefthim but return to the cliff and get hoisted up again.
Still a thought holds him silent. The activity of the Indians, withtheir frequent patrol parties, more by night than by day, has long beena matter of curiosity and speculation among the miners. What if such aparty be now out and within hearing? For he knows that to his voiceCrusader will respond with a neigh, and that might undo all. Therefore,curbing his impatience, he proceeds on, silent as a spectre, his glancesdirected now this way, now that, endeavouring to penetrate the gloom.
All at once he hears the tramp of a horse, on the instant after seeingand recognising Crusader. To his surprise also; for the animal is notat rest or browsing, but moving excitedly about, every now and thenuttering a snort, as though he scented danger. His master knows hehimself cannot be the cause of this unlooked-for behaviour. The horseis up wind, and could not possibly be aware of his approach. What,then, is exciting him?
Wolves--coyotes? Yes, it must be that; and as a proof of its being so,just then he hears the whining howl of the jackals simultaneously allaround.
Such a chorus resounding on every side seems odd, the more from itsbeing heard for but a brief moment, then silence as before. But HenryTresillian stays not to reflect on its oddity. He fears that thehowling repeated may start Crusader into a stampede, and without furtherdelay gives him that signal he knows will be answered. Answered it is,and instantly, by a neigh sent back in response; and in twenty secondsafter the horse stands face to face with his young master, his velvetmuzzle pressing the latter's cheek. On one side there are words ofendearment, on the other a low, joyous whimpering, as though the dumbbrute was trying to speak its delight at their being together again.
Crusader opens his mouth to receive the bit, and seems almost to stoopfor the saddle to be thrown over him. He is caparisoned in a trice; butjust as Henry Tresillian, stooping to tighten the girths, gets thebuckle into its hole, he hears that which causes him to rise erect, andclutch at the bridle: the sound of hoofs on all sides; horses evidently,with men upon their backs. Indians!--they can be no other!
Quick as thought he vaults into the saddle, and sets himself ready tomake a dash.
In what direction? He knows that which he should take for Arispe. Butis it open to him? This he cannot tell, nor, indeed, that any way isopen to him. For he now hears the tramp of horses all around, andbefore he can resolve himself, sees the horses themselves. It has growna little clearer, for the moon is about to rise, and Crusader's neighhad guided the Indians to the spot.
If he stay, Henry Tresillian is conscious he will soon be encircled by acrowd with no chance to get clear of it. Already he sees its ringclosing around him.
But the Indians are still some fifty yards distant, come to a halt;suddenly and with shouts of surprise, for they have sighted him. Thereis even terror in their accents, with awe in their hearts--awe of thesupernatural. They supposed themselves making surround of a horse, whenlo! there is a man upon his back, all in keeping with the mysteriouscharacter Crusader has obtained among those who have vainly chased him.
The young Englishman notes their strange behaviour, but without thoughtof the cause. He knows, however, they will not stay long at rest, and,by the better light, seeing a break in their line, sets his horse's headfor it, gives the word with touch of knee, and springs forward at fullspeed, determined to take his chance.
In a dozen strides he is between two of the Coyotero horsemen, when hefeels his bridle arm suddenly drawn back and held tight to his body;then, with a quick jerk he is lifted clean out of the saddle and flungwith violence to the earth!
Fortunately he is neither stunned nor loses consciousness, but has allhis senses about him; he knows what has happened, and that he is in thenoose of a lasso. But his right arm is free, and, instantly regaininghis feet, he draws his knife, and, severing the cord in twain, releaseshimself.
It would have been to little purpose had his horse been other than heis. But the sagacious animal, seeming to comprehend all, instead ofgalloping away, has stayed by his side, and in another moment has itsmaster on its back again.
With to all appearance a clear track before him now, the daring youthonce more makes forward, favoured by the confusion that has arisen amongthe savages. In the dim light they are unable to distinguish thestrange horseman from one of themselves, and their surprise is butincreased with their superstitious terror, both holding them spellbound.They but cry out, and question one another, without making any effortto pursue.
Henry Tresillian begins to think himself safe away, when he sees one ofthe Coyoteros, who had lagged behind their line, come full tilt towardshim in a gallop as himself. Before he can check his pace, their animalsmeet in violent collision, and the mustang of the Indian is flung backon its haunches, dismounting its rider. The man has his gun in hand,and, seeing a paleface, instinctively raises the piece, taking aim athim. But before he can touch the trigger, the English youth has also apiece levelled--a pistol, which cracks first; and the savage, uttering awild agonised yell, staggers a pace or two, and falls backward on thegrass.
With nothing more in his way now, his young master again gives Crusaderthe word, and off go they at highest race-course speed.