looking frequently at the skies, and the faces of both expressed
satisfaction. Then they entered the bed of the creek and examined it
critically. Will was watching them. When the two separated and Ned came
toward him, he said:

"I can guess your idea now. We mean to escape to-night up the bed of the
creek."

Ned nodded.

"Your first guess is good," he said. "If the promise of a dark night
keeps up we're going to try."

The promise was fulfilled. The Mexicans made no hostile movement
throughout the afternoon, but they maintained a rigid watch.

When the sun had set and the thick night had come down the Panther told
of the daring enterprise they were about to undertake, and all approved.
By nine o'clock the darkness was complete, and the little band gathered
at the point where the path was cut down into the bed of the creek. It
was likely that Mexicans were on all sides of the grove, but the Panther
did not believe that any of them, owing to bitter experience, would
enter the cut made by the stream. But, as leader, he insisted upon the
least possible noise. The greatest difficulty would be with the horses.
Ned, at the head of Old Jack, led the way.

Old Jack made the descent without slipping and in a few minutes the
entire force stood upon the sand. They had made no sound that any one
could have heard thirty yards away.