A MIDNIGHT RIDE. 59 
objects, was quite invisible, so that we were obliged 
to leave it to the horses to keep the track, which they did 
| apparently without difficulty.” Hour after hour passed away, 
and on we rode in the pitch darkness. By the help of a 
_MInatch we again examined the trail, and again discovered that 
even since the rain had fallen, while in fact we were resting, 
two pair of fresh moccasins had “made tracks” over the 
Toad. Was it possible that we also were being followed ? 
The moon rose and the clouds broke a little, so that now 
and then a glimpse was gained of the world around. On each 
‘Side towered up a mountain range ; between them lay the flat, 
‘monotonous plain. At last we came to a sudden depression 
(or groove in the centre of the valley ; the land had sunk from 
beneath, and formed a second little valley at the bottom of 
the first. This was the commencement of the cafiada of the 
Avavaypa. ‘We descended into it, and followed along the dry, 
f Srass-covered bottom until the sides had assumed the magni- 
tude of bluffs. The ground became more fertile ; brushwood, 
and even willows, grew in places; and soon a well-defined 
Water-course could be made out running along one side of us. 
Suddenly, about three o’clock in the morning, there 
‘appeared close before us out of the darkness a white tent and 
a smouldering camp fire. Thinking that our camp had been 
at last reached, I trotted briskly forward, calling out “Friend!” 
So as to warn the sentinel and prevent his firing at us. But 
to my surprise I found myself in the middle of a motley 
group of brigand-looking fellows, who started up in the 
greatest consternation, and pointed their long rifles at us. 
They had sense enough, however, to see that we were not red 
men, and we soon discovered them to be a band of Mexicans. 
On their feet were the moccasins which had caused us so 
BN gt ee aL ee ahs 0 I ye eee ee 
much anxiety, and not far off stood the ponies, whose unshod 
