CHAPTER XV
the end of a chase
THERE were no more shots. The tragic finish to the fight on the summit and the death of Padilla seemed to have disheartened further attempts. As Healy could not lead them personally to the top for a second attack, the Mexicans declined the initiative. Once the horses neighed and Stone went along the side of the ledge that was in shadow and looked down. "No trouble. Wanted some, food, I suppose," he said. "I wish there was some way of getting it to them." After that the three men took short spells at watching, safe in the shadow, as the moon shifted. The fire died down and made for close company. But before it failed entirely Peggy made a discovery.
"Look," she said, "there's another of those queer birds carved just by the side of the entrance."
Stone sprayed the torch ray on it. He found that it could be reached from the outside and, since the stone should not rise more swiftly than it had lowered, it would not be difficult, if the mechanism worked, to close up their treasure-house when they departed.
Through the night the mesa, or all that they could see of it from their perch, remained clear and without
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