“Anastacio sprang at him like a wild beast, and I believe would have killed him, but the other Indians took him off.  They seemed greatly amused at the fight; but said they were only saving us for their squaws to torture, after they got us home.

“After this they made us all walk; although Juanita’s feet and ankles were swelled so terribly that she could scarcely move:  whenever Anastacio got the chance though, he carried her in his arms.

“One day one of the Indians brought her some fresh mule’s blood to drink, and, because she wouldn’t take it, he threw it in her face, and told her in Spanish, that, when they got to their village, he should make her his squaw.  This made her cry terribly; and I heard Anastacio tell her he’d certainly kill her, before the Indians should have her.  After that I thought she seemed happier, and repeatedly said, if she could only see her dear old father once more, she should be glad to die.

“We all suffered terribly from fatigue and thirst; for, after they thought Juanita was going to drown herself in the pool, they were very cross to us, and used to make us do all their work about the camp.  If we refused, they stuck sharp-pointed knives into us, and struck us with their quirts; though, after Anastacio made the fuss, they didn’t strike Juanita any more.

“The night you rescued us was the first time they hadn’t put a guard out, since we were captured.

“You see, they always sent one of their party back a mile or two, to watch the trail, so as to avoid being surprised; but they had got so near home, they didn’t dream of being pursued, I suppose.

“That day Anastacio told me they were talking of having a big dance when they got to the village, and he was going to kill Juanita before we reached it.  He cried about it, and wanted to know if I supposed the Blessed Virgin would forgive him if he did it.  We’d just been talking about it, when we heard the crack of Tom’s rifle, and saw the Indians run towards the wood.

“I tell you what it was, when I heard that shot, I felt that it wasn’t an Indian’s gun (it didn’t sound a bit like one), and my heart jumped right up into my mouth.

“The Indians appeared so anxious about Juanita, that they seemed to forget Anastacio and I, when they heard the rifle.  We both run for the hut, and saw that she wasn’t there, and supposed the Indians had taken her.  Then we heard the soldiers’ guns, and run towards them; and, the next I knew, I met Ned, and was hugging and kissing him just like a girl, I was so glad to see him.  I tell you ’twas jolly, though; and, when I found that Juanita was all right, I felt like dancing and crying in the same minute.

“One thing is certain:  you saved Anastacio from killing Juanita, for she never would have gone into that village alive.”

“Wall, youngster,” said Jerry, “I’ve heered you through; and now I’d like ter know what you think of the ’Paches; ’cause, you see, we’ve got ter travel a good many hundred miles through their country, and I’d like ter hev your opinion of ’em.”