In reply to our questions they told us we
would find plenty of water at Navajo Springs, seven miles from Jacob's
Well, and that there had been a heavy rainfall at the west. As the
Indians were preparing to leave, Corporal Henry came forward and asked
Captain Bayard to inquire for Manuel Perea. The captain thanked the
boy for the suggestion, and did so; and we learned that a Mexican boy,
answering the description given, was assisting in herding the ponies
of Elarnagan, north of the Twin Buttes, at the head of Carizo Creek.
"Carizo Creek," said Frank, reflectively, turning over his schedule of
distances, "that is 19.05 miles from here."
[Illustration: "CORPORAL HENRY ASKED CAPTAIN BAYARD TO INQUIRE FOR
MANUEL PEREA"]
"Yes, and there are the Twin Buttes," said Henry, pointing to two
prominent peaks to the northwest. "Can't we go there, sir? It cannot
be more than thirty miles."
"I would not be justified in leaving the road except upon an
extraordinary emergency," replied Captain Bayard.
"Don't you suppose, sir, that Elarnagan would give Manuel up for the
large reward his mother offers?" asked Brenda Arnold, who stood by the
side of the boy corporals, an interested listener to all that had been
said.
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