gentleman should, and we are engaged."

This coarse, dastardly, and rather stupid stratagem he put into execution
as quickly as possible. There were some dangers to be guarded against, as
for instance Apaches, and the chance of getting lost in reality.

"Have an eye upon me to-day," he suggested to Texas. "If I leave the train
with any one, follow me and keep a lookout for Indians. Only stay out of
sight."

Now for an opportunity to lead Clara astray. The region was favorable;
they were in an arid land of ragged sandstone spurs and buttes; it would
be necessary to march until near sunset, in order to find water and
pasturage. Consequently there was both time and scenery for his project.
Late in the afternoon the train crossed a narrow _mesa_ or plateau, and
approached a sublime terrace of rock which was the face of a second
table-land. This terrace was cleft by several of those wonderful grooves
which are known as cañons, and which were wrought by that mighty
water-force, the sculpturer of the American desert. In one place two of
these openings were neighbors: the larger was the route and the smaller
led nowhere.

"Let the train pass on," suggested Coronado to Clara. "If you will ride
with me up this little cañon, you will find some of the most exquisite
scenery imaginable. It rejoins the large one further on. There is no
danger."

Clara would have preferred not to go, or would have preferred to go with
Thurstane.