We were in the centre of a large valley, with no knowledge of our
surroundings nor with any way out except the road by which we had
entered. Should we leave the protection of our ridge and cabins and
take to the open valley we should be at the mercy of our foes.

Even supposing we could pass out of the valley unmolested, there were
the forests and defiles, filled with natural ambuscades. We could not
hope to pass them and reach the Rio Grande alive.

Only a few hours of daylight remained. Whatever was to be done in
preparation for defence must be done at once.

In the wood-yard there were tiers of dry pine-logs, many of them four
feet in diameter, and all about twenty feet long. With drag ropes and
by rolling we conveyed them to the points of the ridge and to each end
of the guard-house, and erected effective barricades.

While this work was going on the two boys were busy in an attempt to
capture the cream-colored pony. Frank led the black towards it, while
Henry rattled the contents of a measure of corn and coaxed the
cream-color in a tongue foreign to that with which the animals were
familiar to approach and partake of it. Tired at last of what seemed a
vain attempt, the young corporal set the box before the black, which
at once began to munch the crackling corn, and the other pony,
attracted by the sound, trotted up and placed her nose beside her
friend's. Instantly its bridle-rein was seized, and the lads uttered a
shout of triumph and led the prizes to the stable.

From the top of the ridge I looked occasionally through my field-glass