Flight of the Ponies 



We had not gone far, though far enough to see clearly 

 that they could go much faster than we could follow, when 

 the thought of our innocent and helpless alforjas^ left a prey- 

 to any ravening marauder who might cross the wilderness, 

 brought us up short, Harry went back to guard the baggage, 

 and I followed the ponies, expecting I should have to go back 

 all the way to the livery-stable in the Calle del Viscaino. 



At the picturesque mill I heard they had re-crossed the 

 Guadaira at full gallop, and I trudged along beneath the 

 sultry sun of February, in much despondence and perspira- 

 tion, till I happened to think of the broken bridge, where 

 the workmen must have stopped them. So it turned out, 

 for soon after I was met bv two of them leading the truants. 

 They had got their saddles turned round, and each had 

 trampled off one of his stirrups. 



Having tried in vain riding the one to lead the other, I 

 led them back, and arriving hot and breathless within half a 

 mile of our encampment, I was startled bv the report of a 

 pistol in that direction. Approaching cautiously, I could 

 see nothing of Harry, and the terrible idea flashed across 

 my mind that robbers had found him alone guarding the 

 baggage, and had shot him. Then it occurred to me, that 

 when they found two alforjas^ they would presume he had a 

 companion (who might institute a search, unless also dis- 

 posed of), and were therefore perhaps lying in wait among 

 the low brushwood to shoot me also as soon as I should 

 come within range. 



I therefore approached by as open ground as possible, 

 that they might not get too easy a shot at me ; and when I 

 came as near as I thought safe, I shouted his name. After 

 an anxious moment or two an answer was returned in well- 

 known accents, which relieved me from my apprehensions. 

 Still the shot was to be accounted for. 



121 



