"
All the adventurers of the South are ready to stream to the West.
Maxime knows the jealous Californian officials. The particulars
of Fremont's voyage of 1842 to the Rockies, and his crossing
to California in 1843, are now history. His return on the quest,
each time with stronger parties and a more formidable armament, is
ominous. It warns the local hidalgos that the closed doors of the
West must yield to the daring touch of the American---manifest
destiny.
The enemy are hovering around the "pathfinders" entrenched on the
hills; they will try to frighten them into return, and drive them
out of the regions of Alta California. Some sly Californian may
even contrive an Indian attack to obliterate them.
Valois fears not the ultimate fate of the friends he has been torn
away from. The adventurous boy knows he will be missed at daybreak.
The camp will be on the alert to meet the enemy. Their keen-eyed
scouts can read the story of his being lassoed and carried away
from the traces of the deed.
The young rover concludes he is to be taken before some superior
officer, some soldier charged with defending Upper California.
This view is confirmed. Down into the valley of the San Joaquin
the feet of the agile mustangs bear the jaded travellers.
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