"Surprised small band, Tontos, at dawn to-day. They had
saddle blanket marked 'W. A.' [Wales Arnold], and hat and
underclothing marked 'Downs.' Indian boy prisoner says Downs
was caught just after the 'big burning' at Camp Sandy
[Lieutenant Blakely's quarters]. He says that Alchisay,
Blakely's boy courier, was with them two days before, and
told him Apache Mohaves had more of Downs's things, and that
a white chief's daughter was over there in the Red Rocks.
Sanders, with three troops, is east of us and searching that
way now. This boy says Alchisay knew that Natzie and Lola
had been hiding not far from Willow Tank on the Beaver
trail--our route--but had fled from there same time Angela
disappeared. Against her own people Natzie would protect
Blakely, even were they demanding his life in turn for her
Indian lover, Shield's. If these girls can be tracked and
found, I believe you will have found Blakely and will find
Angela."
That night, after being fed and comforted until even an Indian could
eat no more, the messenger, a young Apache Mohave, wanted _papel_ to
go to the agency, but Plume had other plans. "Take him down to
Shaughnessy's," said he to Truman, "and see if he knows that girl.
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