Captured by the Navajos

rm of an oval, with the tongues of the wagons outward and the whe

er received orders from me to drive up the mules and corral them within the circle of wagons, and the commissary stock was hurried under

n up, hobbled, and secured to picket ropes, loose articles thrown int

g swiftly down the slope to the river. It gathered against our tent, and finding the frail structure must go, w

onchos and gum blankets. Wall-tents, the sides of which had been looped up when pitched, stood with the flood flowing through them; cranes, upon which hung lines of kettles in preparation for dinner, standing alone, their fires and firewood swept

ed. Demoralized tents were then set up, baggage and bedding examined, and the wet articles exposed to the sun; an

river watching the trunks and branches of trees rush past, and t

few moments, "what you told us about crossing a stream before

on must be congratulating themselves they

sual hour, and passed over 23.28 miles to

ravine we caught sight of the pueblo of Laguna, illuminated by the sun, just rising, behind us. The town stands

ho did the honors of the community in person. He showed us the interior of the terraced buildings, and conducted us through the subterranean estufa where, for centuries before the invention of the

ch, near the wall of the first house, and I ordered the dog Vic to remain with them. Three-quarters

y she appeared a second time, repeated her barking, and ran off again. A few moments later the dog again showed herself at the sky-light, and thrusting

oys," I remarked. "Frank, go and see what has hap

or his kindness and bestow some trifling gifts upon the rabble of children that had followed us closely t

nearly breathless with exertion and excitement. Whi

ne! Can't see

ld be found somewhere in the neighborhood, so mounted and made a hasty search. I saw our train several miles away, to

rong, and I tied it with a cavalry hitch. She must have been u

I replied, "but not by the Pueblos. We wer

way to him, I explained what had happened. He turned to his people and addressed them in his ow

, I thought I saw a moving object near the foot of a rugged bluff, several miles distant; but before I could adjust my field-glass the o

ll this time," I said; "there she is, on the tra

er best to tell us Chiquita was stolen, a

, I asked, "Are there a

naga, three leagues from here. Th

will come to meet you. If it should be a mounted man, take his animal, overtake Captain Bayard, tell him all you know,

the loss of his pony and the fear that his brother might fa

air, shook herself in an ecstasy of delight, then put her nose to the earth, and went steadily on

depressions, in order to screen himself from observation and possible pursuers. We, however, were not obliged to follow his tracks; Vic did that,

the almost dry bed of the stream, in the bottom of which I could see occasional depressions at regular distances, as i

Indian boy was endeavoring to reach that place with the stolen pony. Directing Frank to keep up the left side of t

nent flow of water. Twice we came to masses of bowlders which made it impossible

confluence to make an observation. Vic suddenly began to bark furiously; then a yelp and a continued cry of

w over the saddle. A sharp twang, and the missile flew through my hair between my right ear and my hat-rim. The boy then sprang forward, an

e, Frank!

k with Chiquita, we tied the horses to the willows and began a search for Vic. I called her by all the pet names to which she was accustome

a large war-party of Indians riding towards us from the direction of the cienaga. It was at once evide

ave our exposed position instantly. Leading Chiquita, and telling Frank to

l on our left, hoping to find a break in which we could shelter ourselves and hold the enemy in check u

clear notes of a cavalry trumpet sounded "deploy," and the California cavalry crashed through the willows and we

to return at once to the train. Frank and I were both uninjured, but a bullet had raised

a further search for Vic, my faithful companion and friend. Leaving my

losely under his left arm, her plumy tail hanging dejectedly in my direction. An occasional dispirited wag showed that she appreciated the kindness being shown her. The boy was evidently busy at something that elicited from the anim

ly. "Poor little Vicky! Nice, brave doggie! There, there; I will not hurt you more than I can help. They can't shoot you again, girlie

letting the boy know I had overheard all his fond talk to Vic

is, sir. This way. She wants to com

rt?" I asked, a

roke it, so as not to be obliged to draw the barb or plume through the wound. She is wea

heals," I answered, and, taking a key from my pocket, I

baby talk" in doing so as Henry had in dressing the woun

t me his mule, and I rode on to Captain Bayard and made my report. The captain sen

u seen C

nce. Is she

in the troop, for it is time we

to be led, and mounted Chiquita with Vic in his arms. Arrived in camp he took th