That night, between ten and eleven, Stanley Mitchell came forth from Tucson Jail.

Pete Johnson was not there to meet him; fearing espionage from Cobre, he sent Boland, instead.

Boland led the ex-prisoner to the rendezvous, where Pete and Joe Benavides awaited their coming with four saddle horses, the pick of the Benavides _caballada_, and two pack-horses.

Except for a small package of dynamite--a dozen sticks securely wrapped, an afterthought that Pete put into effect between poker game and supper-time--the packs contained only the barest necessities, with water kegs, to be filled later.

The four friends were riding light; but each carried a canteen at the saddle horn, and a rifle.
They rode quietly out through the southern end of the town, Joe Benavides leading the way.