A mile farther, and we are safe.  Can we make it?  Why don’t our men see us, and hasten to the rescue?

Another look behind.  The Indians were still gaining on us, and I fancied I could hear the breath of their unshod horses, as they thundered after us; but it was only the distressed breathing of our own noble animals, warning us that their strength was almost gone.

Will our friends ever see us?  Can we hold out five minutes longer?  I hear Jerry mutter something between his closed teeth; and, the next moment, saw a dozen men dash out from behind the rocks.

“We are saved! we are saved!” is my cry.  I have just strength enough left to pull up my weary horse, throw myself out of the saddle, and sink upon the ground, when the faithful creature, completely exhausted, reels and falls, as the men thunder past us, in pursuit of the now flying foe.

“Wall,” said Jerry, as he dismounted, “thet was a touch and go, and no mistake.  I’ve been chased many a time afore, but never come so near a go, ez this has been.  Them critters of ourn are worth a fortune, and no mistake.”

We had a good hour’s rest, before our friends returned from the pursuit; and then, once more mounting, we set out for camp, which we reached late in the afternoon, to learn that neither of the messengers sent to the fort, had returned, nor had any tidings been received from them.

What did it mean?  Could they have been captured?

Don Ramon was almost heart-broken, when he learned the result of our pursuit; and nothing that we could say, afforded him any comfort.  His continual cry was, “Give me my daughter! my darling Juanita!”

I was extremely anxious about Hal; and at once dispatched Don Ignacio to the fort, to ascertain the reason of the non return of our messengers; and then, as nothing further could be done, “turned in” for a little sleep, giving Ned directions to call me immediately upon the arrival of Don Ignacio.

Just before daybreak, I was awakened by the startling intelligence, that neither Hal or the messenger had reached the fort; but Colonel Sewell had, upon Don Ignacio’s request, immediately ordered a company of dragoons in pursuit of the Indians.

The only inference to be drawn from the facts was, that both Hal and the messenger had been killed or taken prisoners, by a portion of the same band that attacked our camp; and, although myself, greatly depressed by the uncertainty attending their absence, I endeavored to assure Don Ramon, that their capture was extremely fortunate, on his daughter’s account, for it would be certain to ensure her safe return to her friends.

This thought appeared to afford the old man a little comfort, and he finally decided, to continue with the train, until we should arrive at El Paso.  We got under way about noon; and, with sad hearts, followed the windings of the road through the Canon de los Camenos, and on to the Rio Grande; thence, following the course of the river, to the old Presidio of San Elezario, and so on to Fort Bliss, about one mile below the town of El Paso.