If they have the gun, thought I, they would surely believe that I intended to come back.

But this little game did not work at all, as one of the desperadoes spoke up and said: "Jim and I will go down with you after your horse, and you can leave your gun here all the same, as you'll not need it." "All right," I replied, for I could certainly have said nothing else.
It became evident to me that it would be better to trust myself with two men than with the whole party.

It was apparent that from this time on, I would have to be on the alert for some good opportunity to give them the slip.
"Come along," said one of them, and together we went down the creek, and soon came to the spot where my horse was tied.

One of the men unhitched the animal and said: "I'll lead the horse." "Very well," said I, "I've got a couple of sage-hens here.

Lead on." I picked up the sage-hens, which I had killed a few hours before, and followed the man who was leading the horse, while his companion brought up the rear.