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CHAPTER VIII. BILLY'S FIRST COMMAND

AND so it was that having breakfasted in the morning Bridge and Miguel started

downward toward the valley protected by an escort under Captain Billy Byrne. An

old service jacket and a wide-brimmed hat, both donated by brother officers,

constituted Captain Byrne's uniform. His mount was the largest that the picket

line of Pesita's forces could produce. Billy loomed large amongst his men.

For an hour they rode along the trail, Billy and Bridge conversing upon various

subjects, none of which touched upon the one uppermost in the mind of each.

Miguel rode, silent and preoccupied. The evening before he had whispered

something to Bridge as he had crawled out of the darkness to lie close to the

American, and during a brief moment that morning Bridge had found an

opportunity to relay the Mexican's message to Billy Byrne.

The latter had but raised his eyebrows a trifle at the time, but later he smiled

more than was usual with him. Something seemed to please him immensely.

Beside him at the head of the column rode Bridge and Miguel. Behind them

trailed the six swarthy little troopers--the picked men upon whom Pesita could

depend.

They had reached a point where the trail passes through a narrow dry arroyo

which the waters of the rainy season had cut deep into the soft, powdery soil.

Upon either bank grew cacti and mesquite, forming a sheltering screen behind

which a regiment might have hidden. The place was ideal for an ambuscade.

Here, Senor Capitan," whispered Miguel, as they neared the entrance to the trap.

A low hill shut off from their view all but the head of the cut, and it also hid them

from the sight of any possible enemy which might have been lurking in wait for

them farther down the arroyo.

At Miguel's words Byrne wheeled his horse to the right away from the trail which

led through the bottom of the waterway and around the base of the hill, or rather

in that direction, for he had scarce deviated from the direct way before one of the

troopers spurred to his side, calling out in Spanish that he was upon the wrong

trail.

Wot's this guy chewin' about?" asked Billy, turning to Miguel.

He says you must keep to the arroyo, Senor Capitan," explained the Mexican.

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The Mucker