"Well, this is jolly," said Jim. "I am glad to have a chance to wash my features and comb my hair."
We took the saddles off our tired horses and it was a pleasure to see how they took it. The fire was made and once more we were united around the old campfire.
Depend upon it, we had a long talk and the captain told of his efforts to help us. He and Tom had spent several hours in making their preparations. Below the ridge at a distance of three hundred yards or more apart they had placed inflammable pitch pine in dry brush and timber.
Tom had been sent with the pack horses up beyond the danger zone and then with a pitch pine torch the captain started the fire at the eastern end, then full gallop to the west and thus up the line. The wind was blowing a hurricane and scattered fire brands far and wide.
It is easy to unleash such a tempest of fire, but once started it is beyond all human control.
We told our story and then fixing up a bed of boughs or rather small branches, I rolled up in my blankets and was soon sound asleep. There was comfort in it after the hardships of the past two nights.
We did not move camp until the next day. By that time we were thoroughly rested and ready for whatever might be ahead of us, whether Indians or forest fires.
Our horses also were feeling good, which they showed by acting badly.
The captain scouted out and returning reported no signs of Indians.
They had been driven away.
"Well, boys," he said, as we started the next day, "I shall have to leave you as soon as I get you out of these mountains."
"We hate to think of it," said Jim. "Better go with us as far as the river anyway."
But the captain shook his head.
"No, really Jim, I appreciate you boys" friendship and I like to be with you, but I am getting too old for this exciting life and I must get back to my plateau and my books."
"I have given the captain one of my books to read," said Tom.
"Gee," laughed Jim, "I bet the captain will be thrilled when he reads about the dukes and dukesses and all those high-fliers."
"That will do, Jim," said the captain. "I value the book as a gift from Tom."
So nothing more was said on that line. We were now fairly launched for the remainder of our voyage through the mountains and we rode forward in good spirits.
CHAPTER XI
THE CAPTAIN DEPARTS
We traveled on for a week through the mountains with only the ordinary incidents of hard riding and quiet camps. We met with no extraordinary adventures, nor did we meet any wandering bands of Indians.
Although we saw the distant smoke of some large camps we did not seek any close acquaintance with the Apaches.
"You will find many of the tribes in the southwest rather friendly,"
said the captain, "not like the Apaches, or Cheyennes. Of course you always have to be on your guard. But if you do not arouse their suspicions or deal with them unfairly, there is no danger of that, I know, and you will find them safe."
"What are the names of these Indian tribes in the southwest?" inquired Jim.
"Well, there are the Navajos, a fine tribe in many ways, with rather good features, not like the fierce Apaches, much more human. They, too, are skilled in making blankets, stained natural colors of gray and brown and red and woven from sheep"s wool. They roam above the San Juan.
"On the north below the San Juan are the tribes of Paiutes, while on the south are the Suppais and Wallapais; in Arizona and lower down come the Mojaves, Cocopas and Yumas, more worthless and degraded than the northern tribes.
"The most interesting of all the tribes are the Pueblos who have villages built in the cliffs or on the great Mesas. These people have a civilization of their own."
"It certainly will be interesting to see this country," I said.
"To me it is the most marvelous region on this continent," resumed the captain, "and has a fascination of its own. As you will soon find for yourselves."
Late one afternoon, we had been riding through a deep canyon and we came suddenly out upon the strange country with its sunlit vastness.
"Well!" said Jim, "it beats me!"
Upon the plain below us were several great mesas, with high perpendicular walls, some of grey stone and others of vermilion sandstone, and in the west were pinnacles and towers in varied hues.
Far away to the southwest were various chains of mountains, rising above an elevated but broken region. The mountains were sharp and clear cut. Over all was an atmosphere of wonderful clarity.
"The great Colorado River flows zigzag through that region," said the captain, indicating the distant mountains.
We gazed at it feeling the spell of its fascinating mystery creep over us. There was so much to take in that we sat on our ponies gazing out over this weird land for a long time. Later, we watched the faint crimson of evening die away and the azure that precedes the darkness, robe the distant horizon line of mountains.
This was our last camp in these mountains and also the last night that the captain was to camp with us. We were talking it over after supper as we sat around the fire.
"I don"t consider this as good-bye," said the captain, "for I expect to see you at my cabin on the plateau after you return from Mexico."
"If it is possible, you may count on us," a.s.serted Jim.
"You will have much of interest to tell me, I know that. I shall like to hear of the old trails that I have travelled years ago."
"We shall be just one trail ahead of you and that is down the Colorado River," said Jim.
"You"re welcome to it," replied the captain, "from what I have heard of its style of action. As a preliminary I should like to begin with the rapids below Niagara."
"One thing is in our favor, we are all good swimmers," suggested Tom.
"Yes, that makes me feel some easier," continued the captain. "You must be careful of those maps I made for you, Jim, because you will need them from now on, until you reach the river. After that there is just one direction and you can"t miss it."
"That"s down the river, with the current," said Tom.
"That"s it," a.s.sented the captain.
"If you see Juarez, send him along," suggested Jim. "We want him."
"I reckon he would enjoy it much more than pitching hay on the Kansas farm," said the captain. "It"s time to turn in now, for you will want to get an early start to-morrow."