“Why can’t these people speak a civilized language instead of such a barbaric jargon! If they only knew Spanish, now, that would do all right.” “Yes, it would do all right for us,” said Sidney, laughing, “but it might not for the next travelers.” “I don’t believe there are any next travelers here; we are the only ones.” The boys ate a dry breakfast, slung their blanket rolls over their shoulders, and took up their long tramp. Their way led past the first bandit who had fallen a victim to Raymond’s skill. The man, apparently, did not move after he fell. His hands still grasped a long-barreled, silver-trimmed rifle, and from a cord hung an ornately decorated dagger. His head was covered with a conical, black, lamb’s wool cap, and he was clothed in a coat which was so long that it reached nearly to his ankles. On either side of the front of his coat were fastened silver cartridge cases. The whole effect of the man’s equipment was that of comfortable affluence. “I suppose,” said Sidney, as they regarded the prostrate form, “that if he had gone to the war with Germany he might have met the same fate.” “He certainly would have made a fine soldier, but I guess he had a better business. Brigandage must be profitable.” “I can’t help feeling uneasy, Ray,” said Sidney as they went on, “about what will happen when those men are found.” “I’m not going to worry, Sid. As you said, there was nothing else we could do.” The boys soon reached the gorge, where the bandits had, probably, planned to waylay them. It was an ideal spot for such an enterprise. The opening was narrow, and the cliffs on either side were ragged and broken, affording the best possible place for concealment. The boys were quite sure if they had gone on the night before that they would not then be traveling. A short distance above the entrance to the gorge they came upon two horses tied with ropes. The animals were fully accoutered, carrying bridles and saddles. They had evidently been tied there many hours, for they had restlessly tramped the ground within the length of their tethers, and they whinnied entreatingly when they saw the boys. “Gee, Sid,” exclaimed Raymond when he saw the animals, “those horses must have belonged to the bandits, and they’re just the ticket for us.” “It would never in this world do for us to take them, Ray. That would make it look as though we had killed the men for their horses.” “You don’t mean you’re going to leave them here?” “That’s exactly what I mean.” “Why, that would be outrageous, Sid, when we need horses so badly, and we are sure the owners were those dead men.” “Nothing under Heaven could make me touch those horses, Ray.” “Well, I guess you’re right, Sid, you always are. But at any rate, we’ll give them some water, they must be awfully dry.” “I would like to water them, Ray, but I think it wouldn’t be safe to do even that. I would rather leave them exactly as they are. It is almost certain that some one will pass soon and find them.”