Josefina stayed put under the blanket the entire time the stagecoach rattled along the bumpy countryside. The door banged and clattered having not latched properly when her father had exited earlier. Josefina tried not to think about her father, what if he'd been shot? Was he hurt, or dead? She forced the thoughts from her mind. She needed to think of what to do. The bandidos who had highjacked the stagecoach were dangerous men, she needed to figure out how to get away from them.

The stagecoach was going quite fast, though occasionally it had to slow down as it passed over rougher country. After what seemed like forever it finally came to a bumpy halt. Josefina heard the men outside, there seemed to be two of them. Lifting the blanket a very little she could see that the light was fading, it was dusk now. After a moment of straining to hear the bandidos she finally pushed the blanket off. Quiet as a mouse she stayed low to the floor and inched her way to the door. It was mostly closed but she could hear the voices of the bandidos through it.

"We can't leave this here, it'll be found in no time." The man speaking had a gruff voice.

"We'll make sure to take all the valuables, and the horses, and cover our traces," replied a man with a much smoother voice, "it should take a while for anyone to find it."

"We've never stolen an entire stagecoach before, this is gonna attract a lot of attention." The gruff man didn't sound very confident.

"You just focus on getting the horses from here, to the cavern. You do know the way don't you." The smooth man sounded more than a little condescending.

"Sí, I just skirt the outcropping and edge along the de la Vega property, cut across the stream, then follow it to the cavern."

"Well," said the smooth man, "make sure you don't get lost. The north border of the de la Vega property is that way." The man must have gestured. "Don't push it too hard, those horses have had a long day, they're no good to us dead."

"I know how to handle horses," said the gruff man.

"Then I'll start unpacking the roof." Josefina felt the stagecoach dip a bit as the smooth man climbed to the top where the luggage was secured. The other man seemed to be occupied unhitching the horses. She realized this was probably her only chance.

Easing the door open as smoothly and silently as possible she stayed low and dropped to the ground. She trembled as she crouched in the shadows under the coach. She felt a cold sensation over her entire body and her heart almost hurt from pounding.

Long shadows cast themselves over the darkening Californian landscape. They were near a rocky outcropping, and not too far away was a stand of trees. Josefina couldn't see anywhere else to hide and decided those trees were her best bet, if she could get there she might be safe.

THUD

Josefina jumped. One of the luggage bags from the roof had been thrown to the ground. It landed just on the other side of the stagecoach from her. She had to go now. Gathering her skirt in one hand she took in a deep breath. It was now or never. She bolted. Keeping low to the ground she ran as fast as she could. Her soft moccasins made little noise as she fled across the grass and rocks.

Her arms pumped and her breath was sharp. She felt as though every sense was prickling with energy. She felt as though the bandidos would close in on her at any minute. Her ears strained for any sound that they might be after her. Her legs were being scratched by the rough weeds, and her skirt was pulled at by weedy fingers. She kept her eyes fixed on the trees, she just had to get there. If she could make it she'd be safe.

The smooth-voiced bandido finished unloading the roof of the stagecoach. He came around to the side to check the inside for any valuables. He paused when he stepped on a piece of fabric that seemed out of place. Picking it up he looked at it closely for a minute before realizing that is was a child's rebozo. Seizing the door he yanked it open to look inside. There on the floor sat a small straw hat. Cursing to himself he knelt to the ground and lit his tinderbox. After a moment of casting around he found the small moccasin prints. In vain he tried to spot her on the horizon, but the darkness revealed nothing. There had been a child hiding in the stagecoach, now she was a liability.