Chapter 27: Invaders
Padre pulls himself to the edge of the bluff, using the Texican's field glasses before his two pards take their turn. Padre sees what appear to be regular townsfolk going about their mid-day routines. For several moments, things look normal to him. Soon enough, though, he tracks the movement of the foot patrol they had spied earlier. Juhasz has no doubts about their intent. They patrol a perimeter around the east side town, extending roughly one-quarter mile away and then looping back.
Tracy takes his turn at the edge, borrowing the glasses and gazing down. Like Padre, the Californian sees folks going about their usual chores and such. He recognizes the small public house in town, and sees the proprietor speaking to another citizen. Things seem normal to him, except for the foot patrol.
Earnest takes the last stint, scanning the area. He sees mostly the same as the others, with a couple of additional observations. First, he sights another patrol, this one on horseback, on the western side of the town. It appears they are riding back and forth along the road between Rockville and Springdale -- perhaps all the way to Grafton, although the professor cannot see that far along the road from this vantage point. Second, Ringgenberg catches sight of two armed men walking around the public square. Another patrol, it appears.
So while the three men compare notes and agree the town seems peaceful -- and none of the men spy any signs of a recent struggle, or damage such as fire, broken down doors or any of the like -- it's clearly not the same Springdale that anyone remembers. These patrols are new, and it seems clear they are composed of the invaders as described by Daniel, rather than any local men known to the heroes. The most likely conclusion is that the folks of Springdale capitulated rather than fought. Perhaps a good thing, judging from the observations of these patrols. They have a militaristic and disciplined demeanor, which was certainly not something the regular townsfolk ever displayed.
The men with the horses continue to wait. So far, they've had no cause to alarm. No one comes close to them, at least as evidenced by their own ears. Nothing to do but wait for the other three to return from their scouting -- or venture out of the gully before that time.