Not by one turn of the head did
those outlaws show that they noticed those changes.
In that way we crossed the range. We met a dozen or more men of the
very roughest type, each one heavily armed. They were in parties of
two and three, and Faye thinks that a signal was passed between one of
them and the "pal." But there was no attack as had been predicted!
What might have taken place, however, if Faye had not been prepared,
no one can tell. Certainly part of Junot's story had been carried
out--the horse thief came to the tent and came with us to Maginnis,
and it was not because he wanted the protection of the troops. Faye
insists that an attack was never thought of, but as he was responsible
for government property, including the animals, he had to make
preparation to protect them. Of course those men wanted only the
animals. We passed many places on the divide that were ideal for an
ambush--bluffs, huge boulders, and precipices--everything perfect for
a successful hold up.
The men came on to the post with us, and were in camp two nights with
the soldiers. The second day from the Judith, we stopped for luncheon
near a small stream where there were a great many choke-cherry bushes,
and "Buckskin Joe"*--that was his name--brought large bunches of the
cherries to me. His manner showed refinement, and I saw that his
wonderful eyes could be tender as well as steely.
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