University of Virginia Library

23. CHAPTER XXIII.
THE RANCHO.

It is needless for me to detail our progress day by day
in pursuit of the freebooters. We kept to our original
design of encamping each night where they had encamped
the night previous; and we had withal to be very cautious,
lest we might be discovered by scouts of the main body, or
surprised by roving bands of Camanches, over the eastern
portion of whose territory our route lay for several days
together. The trail of the bandits crossed the Colorado
Hills and the Colorado River, above Austin, the capital of
Texas, and thence took a southerly course, avoiding all
settlements, and much of the way, as before remarked,
passing over the wilderness known as the Camanche-Range.

Scarcely a day passed that we were not obliged to ford
or swim some stream; and often we met with delays that
taxed our utmost exertions to repair. As we drew near
the frontier of Mexico, these delays became more frequent,
owing to the country being infested with small parties of
Indians and Guerillas, who roved about in quest of
stragglers, or small parties, whom they might attack and
plunder with impunity, being too cowardly to risk an affray
with any body of men of any thing like equal numbers.

Consequently, while our foes could proceed without any

risk, we were often obliged to conceal ourselves in thickets,
or climb trees, and there wait with what patience we could
till we could see our route clear of these petty plunderers.
Most of our nights now we also passed in the branches of
trees; for we no longer considered it safe to lie by a fire,
even with one of us on the watch, as we had previously
done.

At last, after a toilsome and perilous march of many
days, during which we lived mostly on fresh meat, with
occasionally some fruit and berries, sleeping on the ground
in the open air, or in the tops of trees, we arrived one eve,
just as the sun was sinking gloriously in the West, in
sight of a Mexican rancho.

As the trail we had followed led directly thither, and as
we perceived a couple of sentinels slowly walking up and
down the flat roof of the main building, within the walls,
we naturally came to the conclusion that our friends and
enemies were quartered inside. Our position, when we
made this discovery, was on rising ground, in the edge
of a wood; and the rancho was nearly half a mile distant,
in the centre of a cultivated clearing; consequently,
though we could see what was taking place there, we ran
little or no risk of being seen ourselves.

“The villains are yonder, without doubt,” said Harley,
drawing a long breath, and keeping his eye steadily fixed
upon the rancho.

“At last, then, we have tracked them to a burrow,”
sighed I, thinking of Clara.

“It is time,” rejoined Walter; “for another such a
tramp would leave us naked.”

In truth we were in a sad plight—our clothes dirty and
ragged, having been nearly torn from us by the thorns of
the chapparal through which we had passed—our beards
long—our feet bare, swollen and sore—and our hands,

arms, face, neck, body and legs, scarcely without a scratch
for the size of our palms.

“And what is to be done now?” was the next question
asked; which led to a consultation, and finally to the
decision, that we should remain where we were till after
nightfall, and then set forward and carefully reconnoitre
the rancho, and endeavor to ascertain for a certainty
whether it contained the persons we were seeking or not.

Accordingly, we seated ourselves on the borders of the
wood and clearing, and proceeded to make our evening
meal on some meat which we had roasted the day previous,
and since carried with us, to avoid the necessity of kindling
a fire in any place where the safety of such a proceeding
should be considered doubtful.

The sun went down in a bright bed of golden yellow,
and the whole scene before us gradually faded away, and
became lost in darkness. For an hour longer we sat
conversing in low tones, the subject of course being that
which lay nearest our hearts.

“And should this prove to be D'Estang's band of
ruffians, what are we to do?” inquired Walter, anxiously.

“Let us ascertain that first,” answered Harley, “and
then meet here to consult on future operations. Providence
has wonderfully aided us so far—let us not prove
unworthy by failing to trust something to Providence
now.”

“I would I knew in what part of the country we are?”
said I.

“That we may not know till some one tells us,” rejoined
Harley. “Come! I think we can venture forward
now in safety. If by any chance we become separated,
remember this spot must be our rendezvous. Hark!”

As the last word was uttered, a strain of lively music
came floating up to us on the still air from the rancho.

“That sounds of merry-making,” said I.

“A fandango,” returned Walter.

“Fate favors us,” observed Harley: “and so, while the
dance is going on, let so forward and reconnoitre.”

We set off accordingly; and in the course of a quarter
of an hour approached the rancho with great caution. The
music was still in full blast, the air quick and inspiring, and
we could hear the feet of the dancers keeping excellent
time; while the constant hum of voices, and every now
and then a soft, melodious laugh, which also greeted our
ears, told us that many were here collected of both sexes.

But though we could distinctly hear, we could not see a
living soul; for the rancho was surrounded by an adobe
wall, some twelve or fifteen feet high. We crept up to the
wall in the most stealthy manner, and cautiously made its
entire circuit, without finding a cranny through which we
could get a single glimpse of the dancers. We could hear
the voices of many speaking together, which prevented our
distinguishing any thing that was said; though we could
make out that there were two distinct parties—one of whom
spoke English and the other Spanish—and that each, in
trying to pay the other a compliment, by addressing him
in language not his own, unitedly produced a jargon worthy
of Babel.

Having listened as long as we thought necessary or
prudent, we silently withdrew to a safe distance, in
order to hold a consultation, and decide on what should be
our next proceedings.

“Well,” said Harley, in a low tone, “I have no doubt
that D'Estang and his men, or at least a portion of them,
are in yonder rancho; and that they are there united for
the present, if not permanently, with another band of cut-throats
of Mexican origin.”

“This being granted,” said Walter, “what can we do
to effect the liberation of my father and sister?”

“Nothing, of ourselves, alone, while they remain in such
force,” replied Harley.

“Which seems equivalent to saying that we have journeyed
hither in vain,” said I, dejectedly.

“Well, that may or may not be; but I think the latter,”
rejoined my friend.

“Have you any thing to propose?” asked Walter,
anxiously.

“Yes, I have two propositions to lay before you.”

“Go on.”

“The first is, that we take up our quarters in the neighboring
wood, and there remain on the watch. It is possible
that this rancho may for the present be used as a rendezvous,
and that the captives will be left here under a
small guard, while the main body sallies forth on a short
expedition for plunder. At all events, such a large body
of armed men will not long remain idle; and whether they
leave their prisoners or take them with them, by remaining
where we can watch their movements, we shall be likely to
come at the truth one way or the other. Now if the
prisoners are left behind under a small guard, it is possible,
by watching, we may find a favorable opportunity to rush
upon them, and by taking them by surprise, overpower
them; and if the prisoners are not left behind, then we
shall be ready to follow the whole party as we have done
heretofore, and determine our future actions by future circumstances.
This is my first proposition.”

“And a more hopeful one than I had thought could be
made,” replied Walter.

“Now for the second proposition,” said I.

“The second is,” pursued Harley, “that we at once set
off and seek for a force equal to their own, and with this
force come upon them suddenly and give them battle.”

“But where can we find such a force to aid us?” inquired
I, in surprise and some dismay, lest the reply

should prove that the mind of my friend was again wandering.

“Why,” answered Harley, “I think such force might
be found in Taylor's army.”

“Taylor's army?” echoed both Walter and myself in
the same breath. “And where, my dear Morton,” continued
I, fears for my friend's sanity rather increased
than diminished by this reply—“where do you suppose
Taylor's army to be at this moment, that you refer to it
with such an air of confidence?”

“Much less distant than you think, judging by the tone
of surprise in which you ask the question.”

“Certainly much less distant than I think, Morton, if
any where within a reasonable journey,” said I.

“Well, within a reasonable journey I am ready to wager
it is,” he rejoined, in the same confident tone.

“And what reasons have you for so thinking?” inquired
Walter.

“Many, sir,” replied Harley, “which I was not prepared
to give a half hour since, when Harry here was
wishing he knew in what part of the country we are. I
have since been pondering upon the matter, and have at
length arrived at a conclusion which I might have come at
sooner, had I sooner taken the subject into serious consideration.
To begin then with my reasons:

“In the first place, about a year ago, I had occasion to
study a map of Texas; which I did so thoroughly and retentively,
as to fix in my mind the locality of the principal
towns and rivers, and also the distance from one to the
other. Now remembering the course we took from Houston,
the number of days we were on the journey, together
with the probable distance of each day's travel, and I
am thus enabled to form a pretty correct idea of the part
of the country in which the Indian village was situated;
and by making the same calculation of our journey since

quitting it, I think I can guess pretty accurately of our
present whereabouts.”

“And pray then where are we?” inquired I, eagerly;
for though I have since traced our route on the map, I had
at this time no definite idea of the part of the country we
were in; and the information I have occasionally given
the reader, of different localities, in the course of our journeyings,
was found out afterward.

“Well, then, to the best of my belief,” replied Harley,
“we are in the province of San Patricio, and not many
leagues from where the Rio Grande empties into the Gulf of
Mexico; and consequently, if Taylor has pushed his army
forward to Point Isabel, as by the last rumor that reached
me he was about to do, and has not since changed his
quarters, we are not many leagues distant from him.”

“By heavens!” exclaimed Walter, in a very excited
tone, though he prudently spoke low; “if your conjectures
prove correct, Mr. Harley, these villains will do
well to escape the punishment they deserve; for I will at
once to Taylor's camp; and if I can fall in with Walker
and his Texas Rangers, it will only be necessary to mention
to him the name and captivity of my father, to enlist him
at once in our behalf.”

“I am glad to hear you speak so confidently of obtaining
assistance,” rejoined Harley; “and to prove my
surmises correct, I will advance these arguments. First,
on our way hither, we have recently seen, much to our
annoyance and alarm, several small parties prowling about,
evidently in quest of plunder. These, doubtless, are the
human wolves or vultures, which hang upon the outskirts
of the army, ready, whenever a battle is fought, to come
in for the best share of the plunder, but too cowardly to
take it from an equal or unconquered foe.”

“Nothing more likely,” said Walter.

“Secondly,” pursued Harley, “you will recollect that
I told you, from the conversation overheard between
D'Estang and Warncliff, that I judged their intended
destination to be the frontier of Mexico: now would they
be likely to stop short of their destination—at least any
considerable distance—and idle away their time in
revelry?”

“Ha! that is true,” exclaimed Walter.

“Thirdly,” continued my friend, “we know that there
are many females in yonder rancho, and that it is not
reasonable to suppose they belong there; and if they
do not belong there, whence come they, unless from some
near town? for neighbors here are scarce; and if from
some near town, that town must be on the Rio Grande, for
there can be no other in this vicinity.”

“I am convinced,” rejoined Walter, “that your conjectures
are well founded. Now then to act accordingly.
In the first place, you being right in your surmises, there
must be a road, or at least a mule-path, leading from this
rancho to the town in question; and therefore let it be our
first care to find this and follow it, till we chance upon
some one from whom we can gather correct information,
both as to the name of the town, and the exact position
of, and distance to, the American army.”

“I see nothing to object to this,” replied Harley.

“With all due respect for your surmises and plans,”
said I, “I think there is one important conjecture that
should be made a certainty before we act as if it were so—
for this is truly the keystone to the whole arch of your
calculations.”

“Ha! well, what is it, Harry?” said Harley.

“Why, you have taken it for granted that the banditti
we seek, and their captives, are within yonder rancho.
Now if this should prove to be another party—”

“Ha! by my life!” interrupted Harley—“I see! we

have taken too much for granted. We must be certain
this is D'Estang's band, Walter, ere we make an effort
against them—otherwise we may let the real villains and
our friends escape us.”

“True! true!” answered Walter; “but how are we to
ascertain this fact in time to be of any benefit to us?”

“I have a plan,” said I. “In passing around the walls
of the rancho, I observed a stick of timber leaning against
one, by which I think I could mount to the top and get a
view of what is taking place inside.”

“But this would put your life in peril,” said Harley,
anxiously.

“It has been in peril a long time, my friend,” I replied;
“and we cannot hope to defeat our foes and regain our
friends without new risks.”

After some further discussion, it was settled that I
should immediately proceed to put my plan in execution—
I promising on my part to be very prudent and cautious,
and exacting from my friends their solemn pledge in
return, that in case I should by any accident again fall
into the hands of my enemies, they would not attempt a
rescue without sufficient force; but instantly depart and
seek succor, without approaching any nearer to the rancho,
that it might not be discovered I had accomplices, which
would certainly put the villains on their guard against
surprise, and perhaps be the worse for me in other
respects.

I now shook hands with Morton and Walter, and parted
from them as for the last time; for there was no telling
what might happen; and I was not without forebodings
that I should get into fresh difficulty. I set off, however,
with a tolerably stout heart; and in a few minutes had
reached the rancho, and climbed to the top of the wall,
without meeting with any accident.

Here I found, what I had not anticipated, namely, that

from this wall I could get no view of the parties within—
for the main building of the rancho here formed an inner
wall, about six feet distant from the other, and the dance
was apparently taking place on the other side of this, in an
uncovered area. And besides, I could not pass from the
wall I was on to another, because the corners were flanked
with circular bastions. I could see the gleam of the lights,
though not the lights themselves, and hear the music, the
tread of feet, and a loud buzz of conversation; and having
ventured thus far, I determined, imprudently enough, to
venture still further.

With this intent, I soon discovered that one corner of
the building projected within three feet of me; and standing
up, and leaning over, I managed to reach this with my
hands; and after a severe effort, during which I came
near being precipitated to the ground below, I succeeded
in clambering upon it. Moving carefully over the flat
roof to the opposite side, I now had a fair view of what I
had sought.

The area, formed by the surrounding buildings, was
large; and in this, standing in a circle, were perhaps a
hundred persons of both sexes, watching the motions of
some ten or twelve others who were dancing in the centre.
Torches and lamps were plenty; and in the bright light
thus made, I recognized several of the villainous faces of
Warncliff's detachment—but could no where see him or
D'Estang. The females, of whom there appeared to be
about twenty in all, were mostly young, were dressed in
white, and many of them were extremely good-looking.
Their dark skins, black eyes, and raven tresses proclaimed
them of Mexican or Spanish origin; and the beautiful
forms of those in the dance, certainly moved with a grace
and ease that would not have disgraced a fashionable ball-room
of my own country.

While I was yet looking, the music ceased, and the set

broke up; and while another was forming, I prudently
thought of withdrawing; but just at this instant I became
spell-bound by the sound of Warncliff's voice.

“Come along!” he said, gruffly; “you must dance
with me, and there is no use of whining about it! I am
master here, and will be obeyed.”

There was a low, tremulous reply—the words I did not
hear—but the tones seemed to thrill through every nerve
and fibre of my body. I could not mistake that voice
among a thousand—it came from the lips of Clara Moreland.
The speakers seemed to be under me—but yet I
could not see them. In my excited state of mind, I
impatiently, imprudently, raised myself and leaned forward.
But alas! in doing so, I lost my balance; and
finding I must go down, I made a spring, and landed in
the very midst of the freebooters and their associates.