Our orders were to move forward as quietly and expeditiously as possible
until we came within half a mile of the Indian camp; then to separate.
Jerry's party was to attempt the recapture of the stock. The other was to
pay its respects to the camp itself.

Nothing was to be done, however, until ample time had passed to enable
each man to reach the position assigned him. Then, upon a signal from
Jerry, which was to be the bark of a _coyote_, or prairie wolf,
three times repeated, the attack was to be made. After the signal, every
man was expected to take care of himself.

The preliminaries arranged, the men one after another disappeared in the
darkness as they moved forward to the attack, until finally Don Ignacio
and myself were left alone. Motioning me to follow him, he led the way to
the top of a slight elevation, where we dropped upon our faces and peered
over into the enemy's camp.

With the aid of my glasses, by the uncertain, flickering light of their
fire, I could see every object in the camp distinctly.

One Indian was bending over the coals, as though in the act of warming
himself; while, about the fire, lay five others, wrapped in their
blankets, and evidently fast asleep.

A little distance below them, I could just discern the dark outline of
the herd, quietly feeding. It was evident that they neither knew nor
dreamed of pursuit.

It was a splendid night: not a cloud was to be seen; and, although there