CHAPTER VII.
THE CAMP IN THE DESERT.
Without unnecessary delay, they took the train from Mendoza toZacatecas, which was a much larger place.
In Zacatecas they set about the task of finding a reliable guide, whichwas no easy matter, as they soon discovered.
The Mexican half-bloods were a lazy, shiftless set, and the full-bloodedSpaniards did not seem to care about taking the trip across the desert.
Till late that night Frank searched in vain for the man he wanted, andhe was finally forced to give up the task till another day.
Such a delay made him very impatient, and he felt much like starting outwithout a guide, depending on a compass, with which he believed he wouldbe able to make his way due west to Huejugilla el Alto.
The landlord of the hotel at which they stopped that night was afine-appearing man, and Frank ventured to lay the matter before him.
The landlord listened to the entire story, looking very grave, shook hishead warningly, and said:
"Do not think of attempting to cross the desert alone, young senors.Without a guide you might get lost and perish for water. By all means,take a guide."
"But how are we to obtain a trustworthy guide, sir?"
"That is truly a problem, but I think I may be able to assist you in themorning."
"If you can, it will be a great favor."
"Many thanks, young senor. I will see what can be done. If you wouldtake my advice, you would not go to Huejugilla el Alto."
"Why not?"
"It is far from the railroad, and is situated in a very wild region. Ifyou were to go there and should never be heard of again, it would not beeasy for your friends to discover what had become of you. Pachecodirected you to go there, and he means you no good. It is likely youwill walk into a trap that Pacheco has set for you."
"I have considered that," said Frank, quietly; "and I have decided togo."
"Oh, very well," with a gesture expressive of regret. "I know it isquite impossible to change the determination of you Americans. If youhave firmly decided to go, you will go, even though you knew all thedeadly dangers that may lie in wait for you."
Being again assured that the landlord would do his best to obtain aguide, Frank proposed to retire for the night.
For all of the troubles that beset him, Frank was able to sleep soundly,having trained himself to sleep under almost any circumstances. Hansalso slept and snored, to be awakened in the morning by Frank, who wasshaking him roughly.
"Come, Hans, it is time we were stirring."
"Vot vos dot?" cried the Dutch lad, in surprise. "We don'd peen asleepmore as fifteen minutes alretty yet."
"It is morning."
"I don'd toldt you so! Vell, dot peats der pand!"
Hans got up and dressed with great reluctance, yawning, and declaringover and over that the nights in Mexico were not more than fifteen ortwenty minutes in length.
The landlord had prepared a special breakfast for them, and it provedthe best they had found since leaving "the States," so they ate heartilyand felt much better afterward.
After breakfast the landlord himself informed them that he had been ableto obtain a guide.
"He is the very person you want, young senors, for he knows the desertand he knows the mountains. You may depend on him to lead you straightacross to Huejugilla el Alto."
The guide was waiting for them, wrapped to his chin in a crimson poncho,and smoking a cigarette. He was a dark-faced, somewhat sinister-lookingfellow, and he gave his name as Pedro.
While Frank did not like the appearance of the man, he felt that it wasnot policy to delay longer, and a bargain was soon made. Pedro not onlyagreed to take them quickly across the desert, but he contracted tofurnish horses for them.
The forenoon was not far advanced when they rode out of Zacatecas, and,with the sun at their backs, headed toward the west.
Before the day passed Pedro showed by many things that he was quitefamiliar with the desert. He knew where shade and water were to befound, and, at noonday, they rested long beside a spring, with the sunbeating on the wide waste of sand, over which the heat haze danced, andwhere no cooling breath seemed astir.
The heat affected Hans much more than it did Frank. The Dutch boysuffered, but he made no complaint.
With the sun well over into the western sky, they pushed onward again.They did not halt as the grateful shadows of night lay on the desert,but followed Pedro on and on.
At last, far across the desert, they saw the twinkling of a light thatseemed like a fallen star.
"It's a camp-fire," declared Pedro, in Spanish. "Who can be there?"
"It may be bandits," suggested Frank, somewhat wary.
"No," declared the guide, "bandits do not build fires on the openplains. Bandits it cannot be."
He did not hesitate to lead them straight toward the fire.
Frank whispered to Hans:
"Have your weapons ready. This may be the trap."
As they approached the fire, they were able to make out the figures oftwo or three horses, but no human being was to be seen, although acoffeepot sat on some coals, fragrant steam rising from the nozzle.
Pedro stopped, seeming somewhat uneasy for the first time.
"What is it?" asked Frank, with apprehension.
"Yah, vot id vos?" asked Hans. "Vos der camp left all alone mit idslonesome?"
"Not that, senors; but we have been heard, and the ones at the camp arehiding and watching."
"Vell, I like dot. Maype dey haf der trop on us alretty soon."
"That is likely," said Frank.
Pedro called out something in Spanish, but there was no answer, savethat one of the horses lifted its head and neighed.
Then Frank tried it in English:
"Ho, the camp! Who is there, and where are you?"
Almost instantly a man's voice replied:
"I'm out hyar whar I kin take a peep at yer, as I heard yer comin'.Didn't know but you wus Greasers, an' I ain't got no use fer ther oneryvarmints. As yer kin talk United States, just move right up ter the fireand join me at supper."
There was a hearty freedom about the invitation that dispelled Frank'sfears immediately, and they rode forward into the firelight.
As they did so, a man rose from where he had been stretched on the sand,and came forward to meet them.
"Great Scott!" shouted Frank, as the firelight fell on the man's face."It's Alwin Bushnell, Jack Burk's partner!"