I never saw a grander sight than the vast blackened, smoking plain, beyond which the flames raged and roared like thunder, while the dense white smoke, settling low down, partially veiled the sunlight and gave a weird, strange appearance, that is indescribable, to the scene.

“The cowardly cusses!” said Jerry, as we paused to take breath from our labors.  “They wanted to smoke us out, did they?  Well, I reckon, by the looks round, thet maybe they’ll have ter huff it putty lively themselves, ef they git away from it.  I’ve heerd of the biters gittin’ bit themselves, afore now.”

Notwithstanding our misfortune, we could hardly help laughing at the sight of ourselves, as, with blacked faces, singed clothing, and blistered hands, we talked the matter over.

Of course we could do nothing but submit, and console ourselves by wishing that we had the cowardly fellows where we could punish them.

We passed a most uncomfortable night; and, as soon as daylight appeared, were on the road, reaching the “Springs” late in the evening, and the next morning taking up our line of march for Fort Davis.  This fort is situated upon Lympia Creek, in Wild Rose Pass, a most lovely canon, through the Sierra Diablo.  It is about two hundred feet wide, and carpeted with the richest green sward, while the sides, composed of dark, columnar, basaltic rocks, rise to the height of a thousand feet.  Here, cozily nestled in this beautiful dell, surrounded by lofty mountains, we came upon the white walls of the fort.

We encamped within half a mile of the post; and, the next morning, the boys and I rode in to pay our respects to Colonel Sewell, then in command.

The youngsters were delighted with everything they saw, and the sutler’s store proved a great attraction for them.  They seemed determined to buy out his entire stock in trade, this being their first opportunity to spend money since we left San Antonio.

Colonel Young, the sutler, informed me that a friend from Chihuahua, Don Ramon Ortiz, a wealthy Spanish gentleman, with his daughter and five servants, had been for several days at the fort, awaiting the arrival of some train with which they might travel to El Paso.  If agreeable, they would be pleased to accompany us.

I gladly gave assent, and was shortly introduced to the Don.  He was a fine-looking gentleman, about sixty years of age, intelligent, and evidently a man of culture.  The sickness of his daughter had caused his delay at the fort; but, having recovered, he was anxious to resume his journey.

The young lady proved to be a lovely little body, who spoke English like a native, and was about sixteen years old.  Her wealth of raven hair, eyes of jet, and natural pleasant manner made El Senorita Juanita as bewitching a little companion as one would meet in many a day’s travel.

From the instant Hal saw her he became a devoted admirer, and, I foresaw, that so long as we travelled in company with Don Ramon, I need not again fear his absence from the train.