“I don’t suppose there will be much use in our hurrying, Professor,” said the lad, after they had been going a short time.  “I know enough about Indians to be sure those fellows will follow us until they satisfy themselves who and what we are.  They are up to some mischief, and they thought we were spying on them.  Otherwise, I do not believe they would have tried to shoot us.  Don’t know as you could blame them much.”

“I am inclined to agree with you, Master Tad.  It will be good policy not to pay any attention to them if we discover any of them.  Just go right along about our business as if we didn’t see them at all.”

“And you’re not likely to,” grinned Tad.  “Where did you say they were going, Juan?”

“’Pache, go dance.”

“He means they’re bound for a pow-wow somewhere.  That explains it,” nodded the lad.

The rest of the day passed without incident.  Not a sign of the Indians did the boys see.  As a matter of fact, the roving redskins were as anxious to keep out of the sight of the Pony Riders as the boys were to have them do so.

The party enjoyed the trip over the mountains immensely; and, when, a few days later, they made camp in the foothills on the southern side of the Zuni range, the boys declared that they had never had a better time.

Professor Zepplin decided that they would remain in that camp for a couple of days, as be desired to make some scientific investigations and collect geological specimens.  This suited the rest of the party, who were free to make as many side trips as they wished, into mountain fastnesses or over the plains to the south of them.

Early in the day the guide asked permission to go away for an hour or so.  They noticed that he had been uneasy, apparently anxious to get away for some reason unknown to them.

“He’s got something up his sleeve,” decided Tad, eyeing Juan narrowly.

“You may go, but we shall expect you back in time for the noon meal,” the Professor told him.

“Give me money,” requested the guide.

“Certainly.  Let me see, you have worked a week.  I gave you five dollars when we started out.  You were to have ten dollars a week while you were with us.  That leaves five dollars due you,” announced the Professor.

“Me work week.  Me want ten dollars.”

“But, my man, I’ve already paid you five dollars, which pays you for half of the week.  Here is the five dollars for the other half.  That’s all I owe you.  Do you understand?”

“Si señor.  But Juan work one week,” protested the guide.

“Let me show him,” interrupted Tad.  He drew ten marks in the sand with a stick, separating them into two groups of five.  “Here are ten marks, Juan.  We’ll call them ten dollars.  Understand?”

“Si.”

“Well, here are the first five marks in the dirt that the Professor paid you.  How many does that leave?”

“Five,” gleamed the white teeth.