The view was satisfactory, as it showed him that the Apaches were gathered
at the entrance to the fissure and were taking matters very coolly and
philosophically. Several were on horses, and a number on foot. Among the
mustangs moving about, the Irishman recognized his own, astride of which
was a dirty-looking Apache, with a wide mouth and broken nose.

"Ye ould spalpeen," muttered the indignant Irishman, "if it wasn't for
fear of spoiling your wonderful booty, I'd turn you somersets off that
hoss of mine, which I shall have to whitewash after getting him back, on
account of your contact wid the same."

Mickey was strongly tempted to send a bullet after the tantalizing
horse-thief, but he thought he could wait awhile. He was extremely
cautious in making his stealthy view, only moving enough leaves to permit
the service of his eyes and he had not enjoyed this prospect long before
he believed that he had been detected.

Of the twenty-odd members comprising the Apache party, about a dozen were
constantly in view, the others being too far to the right or left to be
seen. The group was an irregular and straggling one, the most interesting
portion being five or six, who stood close together, exactly at the base
of the fissure, talking with each other. It was impossible that there
should be more than one subject of discussion; and the dispute, as Mickey
suspected, was as to the precise method of disposing of the job which had
been placed in their hands.

Some, evidently, favored a daring charge directly up the narrow ravine,
with its short, fierce encounter and sure victory. Others had a different
plan, and their gestures led the eavesdropper to suspect that they