"_Bueno!_ Then we rest when we reach the cave. This is even better than I hoped." But there were two elements in the problem Capitan Pasqual had failed to consider,--Lieutenant Drummond's scout in the Christobal, Cochises's band of Chiricahuas in the Santa Maria. Who could have foreseen that the little troop, finishing its duties at the northern end of the range and about turning south to re-scout the Santa Maria, had ridden out upon the plain, summoned by the beacon at Picacho Pass, and less than two hours after their hurried start from the burning ruins at Moreno's were speeding on their trail? The best field-glasses ever stolen from the paternal government could not reveal to the fleeing outlaw that, only two or three miles back in the dim recesses of the crooked gorge, the blue-coats were following in hot pursuit. Who could have dreamed that a band of Apaches, cut off from their native wilds by detachments from Bowie, Lowell, and Crittenden, and forced to make a wide _detour_ to the southwest, had sought refuge in the very gorge of the Cababi whither Pasqual with all speed was urging his men? "We rest when we reach the cave." Ah, even the torment of his wound could not have wrung from the robber chief this longed-for order had he dreamed what was coming at his back. "How are the girls getting on?" he asked of his hot and wearied aide. "Are they tranquil now?" "They have to be," was the grim reply. "The little one dare not open her eyes, and Sanchez has his knife at the elder's throat." And the sunrise had brought with it new inspiration,--new purpose to those who came trotting to the rescue. Just as the cliffs on the western side were tipped and fringed with rose and gold, Sergeant Lee, riding rapidly far ahead from point to point, always carefully peering around each bend before signalling "come on," was seen suddenly to halt and throw himself from his horse. The next instant he stood erect, waving some white object high in air. Spurring forward, Drummond joined him. "A lady's handkerchief, lieutenant," he quietly said. "They seem to have halted here a moment: you can tell by the hoof-prints. One of their number rode over towards that high point yonder and rejoined them here. I don't believe they are more than half an hour ahead." Drummond reverently took the dainty kerchief, hurriedly searched for an initial or a name, and found the letters "R. H." in monogram in one corner. "Push on, then, Lee! Here, one more of you,--you, Bennet, join the sergeant. Look alive now, but do not let yourselves be seen from the front."