dawn they were well up into the mountains, where Bushnell found a secluded place fo

nsisted that Professor Scotch should exp

man, fondling his red whiskers. "I

y n

r against my will, two of them standing over me with drawn daggers while I was writing,

eco speaks

ll as

es he lo

n't k

is

ealed with his serape

ke in Bushnell. "No one seems ter kno

rged Frank; "tell us

around and groan. They seemed to think there was no need of watching me very closely, and I noticed that I was alone sometimes. Then, feeling utterly reckless, I began to watch for a chance to sneak away. I didn't care if I were shot, or if I escaped and perished from hunger and thirst. I was bound to make the attempt. Last night I made it. A saddleless horse strayed along where I was, an

dead fool luck, beggin' yer pardon fer speakin'

ofessor Scotch. "I don't want any credit for ge

fter which Frank, Hans, and the professor lay do

nd the pipe soothed him to slumber, so th

up and stared at the form of a stranger, the latter being quietly squatting in their m

, even as his eyes opened, his hand shot out, the fingers graspin

her drop on yer, an' I'll sock yer full of lea

black eyes being the only part of him to

t up, g

Der pandits haf caug

ch gave a groan of dis

I'm a

s a half-blood could

yerself instanter right off!" ordered Bush

from the man's li

m Ro

who is

ther of

you dot!" pante

lled a little farther from the half-bl

ot a nerve to come hyar! I s'pose Pacheco an' his

here is no one

hyar fer, thet's wha

leep, and I cam

wh

the sun sinks behind the mountains they will be here.

spicious, while a puzzled expre

derstand yer can't monkey with this old coon none whatever. I hold the drop on yer, Old Socks, an' I may t

"you petter peen in a plamed pig

wish me to

you're hyar

the brother

his old coon. Pacheco is t

leader of

the l

se?

in't h

se?

long

st one

won't, fer we know er blamed sight better!

This other killed him in a battle, and by that he won the right to be leader of the band. He has taken my brother's name, and he calls hims

, and his hand fell

he truth," he said. "He seems sincere

ered the Westerner; "but still this one

. I make sure of that, and then, with my heart full of joy, I ride fast in advance. At last-at last they go to my country in the mountains! My people are there-my other brothers, my cousins, my relatives. They will all stand by me, and they will be ready to avenge Pacheco. The wrath of my people shall fall on the head of th

l," and strode toward the horses. They saw an extra animal was the

dias,

e, and Rodeo's horse was galloping up the ravine that still led