326 ON THE FEONTIEE. 



we had with us a non-commissioned officer, a bugler, 

 and thirty troopers, picked men, selected for the special 

 service they were on, and armed with Spencer-magazine 

 carbines (seven - shooters) and their holster-pistols (six- 

 shooters). Sabres were very carefully left behind no use 

 for them. 



It had been suggested to run a force into the rancho at 

 night, but as the place was undoubtedly watched all the 

 time, such a move would most probably have been de- 

 tected ; and then the suspicious Indians, coming at once to 

 the conclusion a trap was being set for them, would have 

 bolted. 



Though we made a very early start, and travelled as 

 rapidly as we could, it was late at night when we arrived at 

 the rancho, but that suited well enough ; for as it was quite 

 dark it enabled the men to get from the waggons to their 

 quarters unseen by any distant watcher. The troopers were 

 placed in an " adobe " stable at the end of the corral, with 

 their arms, accoutrements, camp equipage, and provisions ; 

 ordered to keep their weapons loaded, and themselves out of 

 sight, and, to prevent accidents, the sergeant locked the 

 door and pocketed the key. 



We found the ranch-house full, for our friends the 

 rancheros, especially the old ranger, had no confidence in 

 the professions of the Indians. Their opinion was, that 

 either the whole arrangement was a sell, the Indians 

 having no serious intention to keep any appointment, or, 

 more probably, that it was a plant; first, to humbug us 

 out of so much beef and flour ; and secondly, to get an 

 excuse, without molestation, to concentrate a force at the 



