Quick as a flash, Valois springs back to the horses. Two mounted
cavaliers, followed by a serving man, can be seen smartly loping
away to the southeast. They are bending towards the region where
Love's course, the trail of the bandits, and Maxime's march intersect.
Is it treachery? Some one to warn the robbers!
Not a moment to lose! "Harris," cries Valois to his companion,
"lead the main command over to that mountain. Be ready to strike
any moment. Send Hill and ten men to capture the ranch by moving
over the ridge. Keep every one there. Hold every human inmate.
I'll cut these men off." Away gallops Harris. Valois leads the
four over the other spur. They drop down the eastern slope of the
point. The riders have to pass near. In rapid words he orders them
to throw themselves quickly, at a dead run, ahead of the travellers.
He waits till, six or eight hundred yards away, the strange horsemen
pass the lowest point of the ridge. The first three scouts are now
well across the line of march of the quick-moving strangers. Then,
with a word, "Now, boys, remember!" Valois spurs his roan out into
the open. At a wild gallop he cuts off the retreat of the horsemen.
Ha! one turns. They are discovered.
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