“Not a bit of it.  My sisters are here, safe and sound.  We’d have been here an hour ago but for slipping a tire.  Is father here?”

“Talk to him, major; I’m done up entirely,” was all poor Feeny could say, as, between relief, rejoicing, and the inestimable comfort of finding he was right in his theories after all, he dropped his carbine, threw himself upon the soft, sandy ground, and fairly rolled over and over in his excitement and emotion.

What wondering eyes,—­what startled ears were at the wagon door-way, as, in his ponderous manner, the major endeavored to tell of the morning’s adventure and the counterfeit presentment of the Ned Harvey now before him!  Long before he could finish, the thoughtful son begged an instant’s interruption.

“And father has gone on the trail to the Christobal?”

“Yes, an hour ago.”

“After him, Leon!  Ride like the devil, even if you have to ride all night.  Fetch him back here as quick as you can.  Tell him Fan and Ruth are safe here at Moreno’s.”

In ten minutes the Concord wagon with its fair freight, now trembling and excited, was standing side by side with the paymaster’s ambulance.  The weary mules were unhitched and, with the saddle-horses, led in to water.  The major and the sergeant, prompting each other, went on with their recital, Harvey listening with attentive ear.

“It is one of the most perfect plants they ever put up,” he burst in, grinding his teeth in wrath.  “Of course they knew of father’s movements and of mine.  They know everything.  They knew we were to meet here, probably.  They felt assured you knew nothing of it at all.  They have used our supposed peril to draw away your guard.  They have succeeded even better than they planned, for they have drawn off father, too, and four of our best men into the bargain.  But to think that this old scoundrel Moreno should be in it.  We’ve always suspected the Ceralvo set; but father has done everything for Moreno,—­practically built this ranch for him, dug his well, set him up in business, and now he makes this a rendezvous for thugs and assassins.  By heaven!  I’m glad you have him trapped.  How many has he with him, do you think?”

“I don’t know.  I only feel sure he must have one or two, but it’s the main gang we have to watch,” answered Feeny; “they may be along any minute, and I thought it was them when we heard you.”

“And that’s what is worrying me, Mr. Harvey,” said the major, as he drew the young man aside.  “All they are after now, of course, is my safe full of money.  It is my business to defend it to the last, and they can’t have it without a fight.  You and your sisters, ordinarily, they would not molest, but by this time they know you are here.  Very possibly they’ve followed closely on your trail and may be gathering all around us at this moment.  Let me be brief.  The sooner you can hitch in those mules again, or those relay mules rather, and get out of here, the better.”