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high Sierra Madres, which was instantly answered by one from the Big Hatchets. Had a stray band of Apaches discovered we were in the canyon, or were they signaling to each other on the hunt? In a little while the mules lay down again, and I went back to sleep. Cousin Jack had not stirred.

    “‘Cousin Jack had breakfast ready shortly after daybreak. While eating, I told him about the flashes. We had been thinking of driving first to the old battle field he had discovered, but we now decided to go at once to the hidden well, as I knew the Indians would not enter a sacred canyon even when on the warpath.      “‘About a mile from the well we unloaded the wagon, packing as much as possible on the mules, including plenty of rope and five lanterns which the surveyors had loaned us. Cousin Jack led the mules, while I went ahead, scouting as far as the alder trees where the Indian skeletons swayed in the wind in their cottonwood wrappings. I told Cousin Jack to wait for me at the sotol thicket where I had seen the Indian girls making sotol.

     “‘When I got back I found him there, boiling coffee and frying bacon. He was glad to hear I had found no signs except cougar tracks. After eating, we built a barricade around the door of the hidden cave, stacking up the sotol roots which lay about in hundreds. Inside the barricade we unloaded the mules and made up our beds. Before closing up the barricade we hauled in some brush

for fire, and a good supply of fresh sotol, so the mules would have browse in case we were attacked by Indians or outlaws.

    “‘By building our barricade against the canyon wall, we know we could take the mules with us into the hiddencave if we were attacked. When all was ready for the night I showed Cousin Jack the secret door to the hidden well. He agreed with me that it would be safer to go through the cave by night. After it got dark I opened the door. Cousin Jack's eyes almost popped out