At night Belding locked his white horses in this corral. The
Papago hersman slept in the adobe shed adjoining. Belding did
not imagine that any wooden fence, however substantially built,
could keep determined raiders from breaking it down. They
would have to take time, however, and make considerable noise;
and Belding relied on these facts. Belding did not believe a band
of night raiders would hold out against a hot rifle fire. So he
began to make up some of the sleep he had lost. It was noteworthy,
however, that Ladd did not share Belding's sanguine hopes.
Jim Lash rode in, reporting that all was well out along the line
toward the Sonoyta Oasis. Days passed, and Belding kept his rangers
home. Nothing was heard of raiders at hand. Many of the newcomers,
both American and Mexican, who came with wagons and pack trains
from Casita stated that property and life were cheap back in that
rebel-infested town.
One January morning Dick Gale was awakened by a shrill,
menacing cry. He leaped up bewildered and frightened.
He heard Belding's booming voice answering shouts, and rapid
steps on flagstones. But these had not awakened him. Heavy
breaths, almost sobs, seemed at his very door. In the cold and
gray dawn Dick saw something white. Gun in hand, he bounded
across the room. Just ouside his door stood Blanco Sol.
It was not unusual for Sol to come poking his head in at Dick's
door during daylight. But now in the early dawn, when he had
been locked in the corral, it meant raiders--no less.
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