He's shore been here afore." Neither man said more, but both grew grave, and both looked unconsciously to their weapons.

Their way now led among ragged plum thickets, and occasional tangles of wild grapevines, or such smaller growths as clung close to the water among the larger, ragged cottonwoods that dotted the floor of the valley.

The Mexican plunged ahead as confidently as before, and in this tangled going his speed was greater than that of the horses.

"_Cuidado_!" (careful) "Juan," cried Curly warningly, and the latter turned back a face inscrutable as ever.
The party moved up the valley a mile above the old buffalo ford, and now at last there appeared a change in the deportment of the guide.
His step quickened.

He prattled vaguely to himself.