Although she had some inkling of the course Stewart and his men were to pursue, she was not by any means prepared for the indifference she saw.  Frank was asleep, or pretended to be.  Three cowboys were lazily and unconcernedly attending to camp-fire duties, such as baking biscuits, watching the ovens, and washing tins and pots.  The elaborate set of aluminum plates, cups, etc., together with the other camp fixtures that had done service for Madeline’s party, had disappeared.  Nick Steele sat with his back to a log, smoking his pipe.  Another cowboy had just brought the horses closer into camp, where they stood waiting to be saddled.  Nels appeared to be fussing over a pack.  Stewart was rolling a cigarette.  Monty had apparently nothing to do for the present except whistle, which he was doing much more loudly than melodiously.  The whole ensemble gave an impression of careless indifference.

The sound of horses’ hoofs grew louder and slowed its beat.  One of the cowboys pointed down the trail, toward which several of his comrades turned their heads for a moment, then went on with their occupations.

Presently a shaggy, dusty horse bearing a lean, ragged, dark rider rode into camp and halted.  Another followed, and another.  Horses with Mexican riders came in single file and stopped behind the leader.

The cowboys looked up, and the guerrillas looked down.  “Buenos dias, senor,” ceremoniously said the foremost guerrilla.

By straining her ears Madeline heard that voice, and she recognized it as belonging to Don Carlos.  His graceful bow to Stewart was also familiar.  Otherwise she would never have recognized the former elegant vaquero in this uncouth, roughly dressed Mexican.

Stewart answered the greeting in Spanish, and, waving his hand toward the camp-fire, added in English, “Get down and eat.”

The guerrillas were anything but slow in complying.  They crowded to the fire, then spread in a little circle and squatted upon the ground, laying their weapons beside them.  In appearance they tallied with the band of guerrillas that had carried Madeline up into the foothills, only this band was larger and better armed.  The men, moreover, were just as hungry and as wild and beggarly.  The cowboys were not cordial in their reception of this visit, but they were hospitable.  The law of the desert had always been to give food and drink to wayfaring men, whether lost or hunted or hunting.

“There’s twenty-three in that outfit,” whispered Ambrose, “includin’ four white men.  Pretty rummy outfit.”

“They appear to be friendly enough,” whispered Madeline.

“Things down there ain’t what they seem,” replied Ambrose.

“Ambrose, tell me—­explain to me.  This is my opportunity.  As long as you will let me watch them, please let me know the—­the real thing.”