We must do full justice to Coronado’s coolness and readiness.  This atrocious idea had occurred to him the instant he heard the charging yell of the Apaches; and it had done far more than any weakness of nerves to paralyze his fighting ability.  He had thought, “Let them kill the Yankees; then I will proclaim myself and save her; then she will be mine.”  And because of these thoughts he had stood irresolute, aiming without firing, and bidding his Mexicans do the same.  The result was that six good shots and superb horsemen, who were capable of making a gallant fight under worthy leadership, had become demoralized, and, but for the advent of Thurstane, might have been massacred like sheep.

Now that three or four Apaches had fallen, Coronado had less hope of making his arrangement.  He considered the matter carefully and judiciously, but at last he decided that he could not trust the vindictive devils, and he turned his mind strenuously toward resistance.  Although not pugnacious, he had plenty of the desperate courage of necessity, and his dusky black eyes were very resolute as he said to Thurstane, “Lieutenant, we trust to you.”

The young veteran had already made up his mind as to what must be done.

“We will move on,” he said.  “We can’t camp here, in an open plain, without grass or water.  We must get into the canon so as to have our flanks protected.  I want the wagons to advance in double file so as to shorten the train.  Two of my men in front and two in rear; three of your herdsmen on one flank and three on the other; Captain Glover alongside the ladies, and you and I everywhere; that’s the programme.  If we are all steady, we can do it, sure.”

“They are collecting ahead to stop us,” observed Coronado.

“Good!” said Thurstane.  “All I want is to have them get in a heap.  It is this attacking on all sides which is dangerous.  Suppose you give your drivers and muleteers a sharp lecture.  Tell them they must fight if the Indians charge, and not skulk inside and under the wagons.  Tell them we are going to shoot the first man who skulks.  Pitch into them heavy.  It’s a devilish shame that a dozen tolerably well-armed men should be so helpless.  It’s enough to justify the old woman’s contempt for our sex.”

Coronado rode from wagon to wagon, delivering his reproofs, threats, and instructions in the plainest kind of Spanish.  At the signal to march, the drivers must file off two abreast, commencing on the right, and move at the fastest trot of the mules toward the canon.  If any scoundrel skulked, quitted his post, or failed to fight, he would be pistolled instanter by him, Coronado sangre de Dios, etc.!

While he was addressing Aunt Maria’s coachman, that level-headed lady called out, “Mr. Coronado, your very voice is cheering.”

“Mrs. Stanley, you are an example of heroism to our sex,” replied the Mexican, with an ironical grin.