The Pony Rider Boys in New Mexico | Page 8

made. At first he thought they had discovered him and were about to
surround the rock and take him prisoner. But he soon saw that such was
not their intention. Tethering their ponies, the Indians cast their
blankets on the ground, after having first picked out a suitable place.
"They're making camp," whispered Tad.
One after another of the savages took out his pipe, and soon the odor
from burning tobacco was wafted to the nostrils of the hidden Pony
Rider Boys.
"Guess they're going to get some dinner," decided Stacy, observing that
the strangers were gathering brush.

This was the case. The ponies had been staked where they could
browse on the green leaves, and now their masters were about to satisfy
their own appetites.
Tad groaned.
"What is it?" questioned Stacy apprehensively.
"They will be here half of the day at least. I know a little about Indians,
having been captured by them once. The difference is that my Indians
were in a hurry to get somewhere. These fellows seem to have all the
time in the world. They're waiting-- killing time for some reason. You'll
see, after they finish their dinner, that they will smoke some more, then
lie down for a catnap."
"And-- and what'll we be doing?"
"We'll be hiding on the top of this rock, Chunky."
"Wish I had my rifle."
"Lucky for both of us that you haven't."
The lads had been talking in whispers, but the words fairly froze in
their mouths, when, upon glancing down they saw the eyes of a savage
fixed upon them.
"On your life, don't move a muscle, Chunky," whispered Tad, as soon
as he had recovered his wits.
Tad was not sure that the Indian saw them, yet there could be no doubt
that the savage eyes were burning into their very own.
Soon, however, the Indian dropped his glances to his pipe bowl and the
boys breathed a sigh of relief.
"Don't move yet, Chunky," directed Tad.
It was a wise command, for almost instantly the Indian glanced in their

direction again, and, as if satisfied, emptied his pipe and stretched out
on his blanket. The two lads breathed sighs of relief.
"Did he see us, do you think, Tad?"
"No. At first he thought he saw something up here, but he changed his
mind after a little, as you observed."
By this time the redskins were cooking their midday meal, and the odor
nearly drove Stacy frantic. It made him realize how hungry he was. He
pulled a leaf from a bush and began chewing it in hopes of wearing off
the keen edge of his appetite.
"How long we got to stay here?" he demanded. "I've a good notion to
get up and walk back to camp. They don't dare hurt us."
"Lie still!" commanded his companion sternly. "I have a plan that we
may be able to put into operation. We can't do it now, though."
The lads waited, Tad almost with the patience of an Indian, Chunky ill
at ease and restless.
"Can't you lie still? What ails you?"
"My stomach's fighting my appetite. Hear 'em growl at each other?"
"S-h-h-h."
"I don't care. I'd 'bout as soon be scalped as to starve to death."
The braves had by now filled their stomachs, gulping their food down
without the formality of chewing it at all. Stacy's amazement was partly
mixed with admiration as he observed the food disappear with such
rapidity.
Now the braves had begun puffing at their pipes. After a time, one by
one laid down his smoking bowl and stretched himself out for a nap,
just as Tad had said they would. The savages were spread out so that
they had a very good view of three sides of the rock on which the two

lads were perched, but the fourth side was hidden from them. Tad
decided that, as the Indians showed no intention of moving, they were
going to remain where they were until night.
"I want you to follow me, Chunky," Butler said, determined to try his
plan. "You will have to move absolutely without a sound. Look before
you put down foot or hand. Be sure where you place them. We'll wait a
few minutes until they're sound asleep."
"What you going to do-- sneak?"
"Try to get back to camp. The others will be coming along looking for
us pretty soon, if we don't get away. The Indians might resent being
disturbed, and perhaps make trouble."
"Tell me when you're ready, then."
Some minutes had elapsed and the lads could plainly hear the snores of
their besiegers.
"Now!" whispered Tad.
At the same time he began crawling toward the edge of the rock at their
rear. Stacy was close upon his heels.
The side which the