slowly making its way through the tall bottom grass of the valley beneath
us, surrounded by quite a number of men on horseback.

"Hurrah!" cried Jerry, "there's friends. This is the fust party we've
seen out on the plains since we left San Antonio. We mustn't let 'em go
by without overhaulin' 'em."

We soon came up with them; and they proved to be Capt. Blodget and four
companions from Missouri, on the way to Fort Davis, accompanied by an
Arapahoe Indian as guide.

We were, of course, delighted to meet with Americans, and eagerly
questioned them as to their adventures on the road; but they had seen no
Indians; having, by the advice of their guide, kept a few miles away from
the main travelled route, on account of there being less liability of
meeting the prowling bands, who generally followed the course of the
road, in expectation of more successfully conducting their thieving
operations.

We soon parted with our new friends, and set out once more on our way to
the Nueces.

[Illustration: The Missourians.]



CHAPTER III

Our arrival in camp, during the afternoon, was the signal for a general
rejoicing among the men, who loudly applauded the determination and pluck