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diff --git a/old/65656-0.txt b/old/65656-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 65043a0..0000000 --- a/old/65656-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10040 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Roughriders of the Pampas, by F. S. Brereton - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Roughriders of the Pampas - A Tale of Ranch Life in South America - -Author: F. S. Brereton - -Release Date: June 20, 2021 [eBook #65656] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Al Haines - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROUGHRIDERS OF THE PAMPAS *** - - - - - - -[Frontispiece: DUDLEY ESCAPES WITH HIS PRISONER] - - - - - Roughriders of the Pampas - - A Tale of Ranch Life in South America - - - By - - Captain F. S. Brereton - - Author of "How Canada Was Won," "With Wolseley to Kumasi," - "Jones of the 64th," "With Roberts to Candahar," - "Roger the Bold," etc., etc. - - - - Illustrated by - Stanley L. Wood - - - - H. M. Caldwell Co., Publishers - New York and Boston - - - - - _Copyright, 1908_ - BY H. M. CALDWELL Co. - - _Published simultaneously in the United States, Great Britain, - Canada, and British Possessions_ - - Electrotyped and Printed at - THE COLONIAL PRESS: - C. H. Simonds & Co., Boston, U.S.A. - - - - - Contents - - CHAPTER - - I. Outward Bound - II. A Confidential Friend - III. The Home on the Pampas - IV. An English Gringo - V. Showing his Mettle - VI. Our on the Rancho - VII. An Indian Invasion - VIII. Dudley Leads the Gauchos - IX. Fighting the Enemy - X. An Important Discussion - XI. White Brigands - XII. An Unexpected Meeting - XIII. In a Tight Corner - XIV. Back to the Rancho - XV. Dudley Makes a Discovery - XVI. Hemmed in on Every Side - XVII. Fighting in the Forest - XVIII. A Dash for the Pampas - XIX. Antonio Sarvisti is Surprised - XX. Brought to Book - - - - -List of Illustrations - - -Dudley Escapes with his Prisoner (_See_ page 342) _Frontispiece_ - -"Its hoofs fouled the top, and in a second horse and man went -headlong" - -"All the while the gaucho clung like a leech to it" - -"Dudley's revolver snapped sharply" - -"Dudley looked incredulously at the stranger, and then uttered a cry -of astonishment" - -"He stood to his full height on the saddle, one hand over his eyes to -shade them from the light" - - - - -Roughriders of the Pampas - - - -CHAPTER I - -OUTWARD BOUND - -"One moment please, steward!" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Bring a little soup and a piece of bread at once, please." - -"Soup, sir. Yes, sir." - -The steward bustled off, and returned within a minute with a steaming -bowl of pea soup. - -"Thank you,".said the tall passenger who had called for it, nodding -pleasantly, and with a knowing wink. "Not for me, steward. For this -young gentleman here. Now, sir, tackle that. You will feel a man -again. There, don't think me interfering and presumptuous. We are -fellow passengers, and you are in want of a little help and advice. -Come, set to work at it and you will feel yourself again. You've -been feeling very ill. Everyone does that at first, and we have had -a dusting in the bay. But that soup, believe me, will do a world of -good to you." - -The tall stranger leaned on the edge of the saloon table and spoke -kindly to the pale-faced youth sitting exactly opposite him. He had -noticed Dudley Compton on the day of sailing, for there was something -striking about the young fellow. Then he had lost sight of him for -three days, for outside the mouth of the Mersey the brig had run into -a nasty sea, and had held on right into the Bay of Biscay, lashed all -the way by a stiff gale, which had caused her to flounder and roll, -and had kept her decks incessantly washed by the spray and the -rollers which broke aboard. Of the twenty or more passengers aboard -but two had put in an appearance at meals in the saloon, and for -them, hardy travellers though they were, eating had been a matter of -difficulty, for the table was decked with fiddles, and every scrap of -crockery and glassware was secured. To eat soup one had to cling to -the basin with one hand and to the spoon with the other, while one -balanced oneself in his seat as skilfully as the elements allowed. - -Dudley had been utterly miserable. He had not been five miles to sea -before, and he had succumbed to nausea within two hours. For three -days he had lain in his bunk, tossed this way and that, utterly -prostrate, and careless of the many bruises he received, for he was -thrown out of his berth on several occasions. Now his natural -courage had forced him to get up, for he was not the lad to lie and -sulk at any time, and not the one to be easily beaten. - -"I feel horribly ill and giddy," he said to himself that morning, -"and I really shouldn't mind much if I heard we were sinking or had -run on a rock. But a fellow can't stand more of this kind of thing. -They'll think I'm shamming. I'll make an effort to get up." - -He crawled from his bunk and struggled into his clothing, a process -accomplished by dint of clinging to the bunk, and very often -interrupted by a pitch and a roll which sent him into the corner of -the narrow box which went by the name of cabin. He clambered to the -deck and was promptly requested to retire by a bandy-legged seaman, -clad in shining oilskins. - -"Can't come out here, sir," he said politely, helping the passenger -into the saloon entrance. "There's still seas a-sweepin' her decks, -and yer don't want ter go overboard, now do yer?" - -"I don't know. I hardly care what happens," answered Dudley -desperately. "I shall be ill again if I go down to the saloon." - -"Ill! You've been that this three days. Pull yerself together, sir. -Never say die! Why, Nelson hisself was always that sick the first -two or three days at sea that he wasn't fit to fight his own shadder, -much less the Frenchies. But he pulled hisself up. He wasn't the -lad to go under without a struggle. Jest you slip down to the saloon -and call for food. It'll set yer up, sir." - -The kindly sailor assisted Dudley to the door of the saloon, and left -him there with an encouraging nod. Dudley struggled across the -narrow saloon, a cosy enough place as accommodation went in those -days, but a wretched enough saloon when compared with those provided -on modern-day leviathans. A roll of the ship sent him with a lurch -against the table; he grabbed at the fiddles, almost tore them from -their place, and was flung into a seat immediately opposite the only -other occupant of the saloon. He was giddy. The hot atmosphere -choked him after the breath of pure air which he had inhaled on deck. -He felt faint, wondered whether he should struggle back to his cabin -and give himself up to despair, and then the voice of the passenger -broke on his ears. - -"Now tackle the soup, and you'll see," he heard. "There's a spoon. -Hold on to the bowl, wedge yourself into the seat, and enjoy your -meal. Bravo! I see that you will be the very first of our invalids -to get over this little trouble. Steward!" - -"Sir?" - -"A cup of coffee, black and strong, and a few biscuits, for this -gentleman." - -Dudley felt better already. The very fact of having someone to talk -to was a relief, and it took his attention from himself for the -moment. He found that the soup tasted as no other soup had done -before. Wonderful to relate, he suddenly discovered that he had an -appetite, and recollected that he had starved for three whole days, a -sacrifice in which he had never before indulged. - -"Like it?" asked the stranger shortly. - -"The best I've ever tasted," answered our young hero, a thin smile -wreathing his lips. "I'm hungry." - -"And so you ought to be. Steward, just bring along a plate of beef, -and see that there is nothing but lean. This young gentleman is -hungry." - -There was a broad smile on Dudley's face now, for the hot soup had -warmed him right through, and seemed as if by magic to have driven -his giddiness and nausea away, such is the rallying power of youth. -He took a closer look at the passenger sitting opposite, and found -something attractive in his face. He sat high in his chair, and had -every appearance of being tall. He was remarkably thin and wiry, as -if he were trained to the very last ounce, for no one could suggest -that illness had anything to do with his condition. His powerful -bronzed face, with its fair, flowing moustache, its prominent nose -and cheek bones and piercing, kindly eyes, discouraged that idea, -while there was no sign of frailty about the broad shoulders, the -deep chest, and the powerful, sun-tanned fingers which were clasped -upon the table. This was a man who was engaged in an active, -strenuous life, and, inexperienced though Dudley was, something told -him intuitively that his new friend had gone through many an ordeal, -had faced death, and had battled often for existence. - -"Wondering who I am, eh?" - -The question was asked abruptly and not unkindly, for there was the -suspicion of a smile on the stranger's face. Dudley blushed, and -stammered. - -"Yes, sir," he admitted, "I was. You see----" - -"There's something different about me from the men you have been in -the habit of coming across." - -There was undoubtedly. Why, even the clothes which this stranger -wore were strange to Dudley. They were of a smooth, dark cloth, -probably of foreign manufacture, while the cut was decidedly -different from that in vogue in England. There was a soft, white -shirt beneath the coat, a soft collar attached, and a -brilliant-coloured tie of very ample dimensions issued from beneath -the collar and fell in soft folds over his shirt and the lapels of -his coat. Added to all this, a wide-brimmed felt hat, with an -ostrich plume thrust into the band, lay on the seat beside him, the -sort of article which one would hardly have expected to have come -across at sea, and certainly not in England in those prim days. - -"Well? Am I right? Speak out, lad, and don't fear to offend me. My -name's Blunt. Harvey Blunt, at your service. Blunt by name and -blunt also by nature, I fear." - -Dudley smiled, for the stranger beamed on him as he spoke, his kindly -face and eyes belying his words. He might be blunt in speech, and -perhaps for all Dudley knew had cultivated the habit for some special -reason. He might be a man who commanded many workers, and short, -sharp orders were appreciated and quickly obeyed. But he was -certainly not offensively blunt, and there was a kind heart under his -jacket. Dudley reckoned all that out swiftly, while he noticed that -Mr. Blunt spoke English perfectly, but sometimes with the faintest -foreign accent, while later, as they conversed, he heard many strange -exclamations issue from his lips, and he was at a loss to understand -what they meant or in what language they were uttered. - -"A lad who thinks and notices," Mr. Blunt was saying to himself, as -he watched the young passenger opposite. "I like his looks. He is a -fine sample of the English boy, well set up, manly, with a lot of -character and determination about him, and yet with manners. Ah, I -like a lad who is always polite! Well, sir?" - -Dudley laughed outright now. He had finished his soup, and was now -discussing a big plate of beef, while a steaming cup of coffee was -wedged into the corner of the fiddle just at his elbow. - -"I must admit that you are a little different, sir," he said. "To -begin with, your clothes are not like those we wear, and then, well, -you look to me as if you had always lived in the open, and had slept -there, too. You look, what we call at school, 'as hard as nails, and -awfully fit.'" - -"English or not?" was the next question, flashed at him without a -second's intermission. - -"Yes, undoubtedly, but accustomed to use another language." - -"Right! Right, all the way through! A lad who thinks, who uses his -headpiece! Good!" - -The stranger brought a big bony fist down on to the edge of the -fiddle with such force that had Dudley attempted to do the same he -would have suffered considerable pain. But Mr. Blunt did not seem to -notice any. He smiled at Dudley while he repeated the words. As for -the young fellow opposite him, he went red to the roots of his hair, -while his thoughts flew away back to the school which he had so -recently quitted. Had anyone there given him credit for keen -perception, or even taken the trouble to imagine that Dudley Compton -ever had a serious thought? - -"He is hopeless where work or thought is concerned," the headmaster -had said to Dudley's guardian, only a year before. "You will do -nothing with him in an office. Send him abroad. He is a jolly lad, -good-tempered, steady, and with plenty of pluck, but little head." - -And here was a stranger praising Dudley for the very thing which his -late master had never imagined him to possess. Straightway he -resolved to cultivate a habit which evidently gave pleasure to this -tall gentleman. - -"Going out to join your parents?" was the next question, fired at -Dudley as he devoured his meal. "Where do you disembark? Don't -answer if you wish to keep such matters to yourself. I'm not -inquisitive, but we seem to have struck up a pleasant acquaintance, -and, after all, there are few enough English over in South America, -and it's always nice to meet one and exchange views. I'm getting off -at Montevideo, where I transship, and make up the River Paraná. Ever -been out before?" - -"Never. And I am not going to join my parents, sir, for they are -dead. I'm an orphan, and have been so for the past ten years." - -"Dear, dear! You're about seventeen, I take it. Eh?" - -"I shall be in a month, sir." - -"Then you have nothing to complain of with regard to English feeding. -You are five feet nine, I should reckon." - -"And a half," exclaimed Dudley, his nausea and sickness now entirely -forgotten, while the blush of robust health was fast returning to his -cheeks. "Five feet nine and a half inches, in my socks, sir." - -"And your name?" - -"Dudley Compton, sir. I'm going out to Montevideo, where I have to -make enquiries for a Mr. Bradshaw. He was a great friend of my -guardian, and wrote a year ago to say that I was to come out to his -ranch and he would give me work. Later I shall buy a farm for -myself." - -"Humph! You will do well to serve an apprenticeship first, and get -to know the country. Besides, until the Indians are settled, and -civil war has come to an end, it is not over safe to be in the -neighborhood of Montevideo, much less to expend good money on a farm. -So you are going out to join a Mr. Bradshaw, Mr. James Bradshaw, a -short, wiry gentleman, who came out twenty years ago?" - -"That is the description," agreed Dudley, "but I have never seen him. -It is a year since he wrote to my guardian." - -"Humph! Then there is disappointment for the boy," Mr. Blunt -exclaimed beneath his breath. "I will not tell him now. I'll wait -till he has got his sea legs and has overcome his homesickness. -Anyone could see with half an eye that the lad was feeling lonely and -forsaken. Come, we will make for a little nook I know of," he said -aloud, seeing that Dudley had finished his meal. "It is just outside -the saloon entrance, and the captain has rigged an awning so as to -keep off the worst of the spray. Get a good overcoat on and join me -here." - -Dudley felt a different creature as he rose from his seat, and -staggered out of the saloon, clinging to the edge of the table, to -the back of the fixed seats, and to the walls as he made his way -towards his cabin. And what a different aspect it presented now. -Before, it seemed but a dismal hole, black and forbidding. Now, the -white paint, and the fact that he looked at it with an eye which was -no longer jaundiced, gave it a home-like appearance. He wedged his -body into a corner, reached for the rough topcoat which he had -purchased before sailing, and, cramming a hat on to his head, he -returned to the saloon. Mr. Blunt was already there, his sombrero -pulled down over his eyes and secured by a cord beneath his chin, -while a cloak of ample proportions and of foreign appearance covered -his shoulders and fell to his knees. - -"The class of thing you will wear soon," he said, noticing Dudley -look at it. "This is a poncho, and many a time have I been grateful -for its services. It is the cloak generally used in South America. -Now, up we go. Hang on to the rail, and follow me across the deck." - -He ran up the companion, stopped for a few moments at the exit from -the saloon to the deck, and then darted out, a gust of wind sweeping -under the wide flap of his sombrero as he did so and turning it back -over the top. Dudley followed swiftly, and in a few seconds he was -ensconced with his new friend under a canvas awning rigged between -the mizzen mast and the end of the companion. It was but a flimsy -shelter, it is true, but it kept the clouds of spray from drenching -them, while it was seldom that a wave of any proportions broke over -the rail. Dudley sat well back on a roll of rope and watched the sea -breaking about the vessel, thoroughly enjoying this magnificent -sight, and forgetful of the fact that barely two hours ago all his -misery and discomfort, not to say desperation, was due to the waves -which he was now watching. It seemed wonderful to him that any ship -could live in such a sea, and he was more than half surprised to note -how placid and obviously content the two men at the wheel were. - -"Settling down to a nice blow, with the wind right aft, and therefore -carrying us fast to the end of our journey," sang out Mr. Blunt, for -the ordinary tones of the voice were swallowed in the roar of the -wind, in the rattle and scream of the rigging. "We are running out -of the Bay, and shall be setting our course for Lisbon before the -night falls. Then we touch at Cape St. Vincent, and at once set our -bows west and south, making for Rio de Janeiro. A week from there -will take us to Montevideo, and then the old life again!" - -Between the gusts of wind he told Dudley how he had gone to South -America, to the province of Entre Rios, many years before, and how he -had acquired an estancia. Then he charmed him with a description of -his life, mounted on the finest horse at the first streak of day, -rounding up cattle which were more than half wild, or galloping over -the wide plains in the effort to secure some of the numerous herds of -fine horses which roamed the country, utterly wild and untamed. -There were Indians, too, and outlaws to be contended with, and a -thousand other dangers which made a man a man, and brought out all -that was fine in him. - -Dudley listened with wide-open ears, enraptured with the tale, and -glowing at the thought that this was to be his life once he arrived -at Mr. Bradshaw's farm, never dreaming that the kindly friend beside -him had sad news to convey. For Mr. Blunt was aware that this same -Mr. Bradshaw had been killed six months before in an Indian raid, and -that Dudley could therefore no longer count upon his help. Then Mr. -Blunt demanded more news of himself, and Dudley told that he had been -left an orphan when very young, that a guardian had taken care of him -till he was nine, and had then sent him to a school at Blackheath. - -"He was a bachelor, and always very kind," he said; "but he was such -a very busy man that he had very little time to devote to me, and, in -fact, we were almost strangers. I seldom saw him in term time, while -during the holidays we saw little of each other, as he did not return -from London till late every evening, and left early on the following -day. I think he had an idea that I should go into his office, -but----" - -"You hardly looked on that with favor," interposed Mr. Blunt with a -knowing smile. "An office stool was not as attractive, perhaps, as -the life which Mr. Bradshaw lived?" - -"Hardly, sir. I had heard my guardian often speak of him, and of the -life which he lived, and I own I longed to try it. But then, too, -the headmaster seemed to think that I should be useless at a desk. -He said as much openly." - -"Which only proves him to be somewhat lacking in perception," was the -short answer. "A youth with average intelligence never knows what he -can do till he tries, so why discourage him beforehand? However, -here you are, and I am sure you will like the life out in Entre Rios. -It is rough, full of difficulty and danger, but one is a man there, -as free as the air, and engaged in work far more natural to human -beings than is that of the clerk, cooped in a stuffy office and -poring over figures. Can you ride, lad?" - -Dudley owned that he could, just a little. "I have often mounted a -horse on the heath, and have even galloped and stuck on over a few -jumps." - -"And fallen off on other occasions. Then here's a word of advice. -If you are asked if you can ride, don't be anxious to admit to any -proficiency. You will be a 'gringo' out there, a foreigner, newly -arrived, what is sometimes called a greenhorn, and the gauchos are -fond of making fun. Can you shoot? Never fired a gun or a revolver! -Time you commenced to learn, then. We'll have a little practice as -soon as the sea calms down. You'll want to know the business end of -a gun before you reach South America, for ruffians abound there. You -see that block in the rigging? Well, before you consider you can -shoot you must be able to hit it a score of times running, turning on -it swiftly, and firing without a pause. It can be done. I could do -it now, even with all this movement. It is simply custom, a knack of -hand and eye, a useful knack which has saved my life on more than one -occasion. Do you smoke, lad?" - -The questions were fired at Dudley with surprising shortness, which -almost made him gasp. - -"Sometimes," he admitted guiltily. "Not very often." - -"Good again. The fellow who commences to smoke too soon upsets his -digestion, and therefore his development. A cigar is a fine thing, -and helps a man when he's troubled. The weed soothes, somehow. -You'll start some day and admit the same." - -The very mention of a smoke caused Mr. Blunt to feel in the pocket -beneath his poncho, and to extract a long cigar and a match of -brilliant hue. Dudley watched him as he dexterously struck the match -and kept it alight in spite of the wind, while his nostrils detected -the rank fumes which came from the match. His new friend drew at the -weed, and every line of his fine open face denoted enjoyment. Then -the eyes, which had for a second or more looked somewhat dreamy, -fixed themselves on Dudley's face, and scrutinized every feature. - -"Hum!" thought Mr. Blunt, "not a bad-looking youngster either, now -that the food he has had and this keen air have brought the color to -his face. I expect he was a good fellow at school; popular and all -that. Perhaps he left to the regret of all, masters as well as boys. -Eh?" - -"Pardon!" demanded Dudley. - -"Not at all," was the answer. "I was thinking aloud, I fear. It is -a foolish habit. But tell me, Dudley, are you not somewhat young to -be sent out to South America? You tell me you are not quite -seventeen. Most youngsters are older than that when they come out. -Was there any special reason for your leaving home early?" - -He asked the question in his usual manner, his eyes all the time -fixed on the face of the young fellow before him. He saw the color -rise on Dudley's cheeks. He could almost have declared that he saw -tears welling up into the eyes, but he could not be sure, for with -such a wind blowing any one might have tears in his eyes. The lad -faced his questioner unflinchingly, coughed huskily as if something -obstructed his throat, and then answered boldly. - -"Yes, sir," he said, "there was a reason. I was to have come out -here when I was seventeen and a half but something occurred to send -me earlier." - -"Something occurred. Exactly so! Just as I thought. And that -was----? But there, I am too inquisitive. Your pardon, Dudley. Do -not even mention the matter further unless you wish to do so." - -"I do wish it, sir," said Dudley with decision, and in such altered -tones that Mr. Blunt's attention was again attracted. "I will give -you my confidence, knowing that you will not divulge a word. I was -expelled." - -"Expelled! Sent away from the school! Gracious! For what?" - -There was a startled look in Mr. Blunt's eyes. He swung round on his -young friend again, for he had turned his head away a moment before, -and sat there staring incredulously at him. - -"For what? The crime?" he demanded. "It was not a serious one, that -I'll be bound." - -"I was expelled for theft. When I left the school I was branded -forever as a mean and despicable thief." - -There was a strange tremor in Dudley's voice. Mr. Blunt was certain -now that those were tears in the corner of the eyes. But still the -lad faced him without a waver. He made his admission boldly, -decidedly, with no attempt to lessen the significance of his words, -and as he spoke, despite the tears in his eyes, and the tremor in his -voice, Dudley Compton's head went higher, while there was a look on -his face which spoke of pride, and of full consciousness of his own -innocence. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -A CONFIDENTIAL FRIEND - -"A thief! Expelled from his school for theft, and sent out to South -America to get him out of the way! Impossible! The boy is not -lying. I swear he is honest, or ever after this I cease to believe -that I am even the poorest judge of men." - -Quite unconsciously Mr. Blunt uttered the words aloud, while he -looked searchingly at Dudley. As for the latter, he had made his -admission, he had told this new friend of his bluntly that he had -just recently been expelled from his school for theft, and now he -still regarded him without flinching, and in a manner which went far -to persuade this tall man from the pampas that he was innocent. Mr. -Blunt had not been meeting all manner of men during his life without -encountering many rogues as well as honest men. The experience he -had gained in various parts of the world was always proving -serviceable, and now more than ever before perhaps. He prided -himself on his judgment. That judgment told him without error that -Dudley Compton was not a thief, despite the fact that the lad had -just admitted that it was for theft that he had been expelled from -his school. It was just like the kind-hearted fellow he was for the -tall, raw-boned stranger at once to stretch out a huge brown paw and -snatch hold of Dudley's hand. - -"Tell me all about it," he said simply. "Tell me how it all -occurred, and why you were selected as the culprit. Come, it may -help you to talk. This matter has been weighing on your mind for -some time and making you miserable. You will be happier and easier -when you have given your confidences to me. Speak out, and do not -fear that I shall not listen with sympathy." - -He pressed Dudley's hand very gently, and looked away over the rail -of the tossing ship. For his words, his sympathy, his openly -expressed belief in his young friend had had their effect. Dudley -Compton had for many a day now bravely borne the trouble which was on -his mind, and had been there ever since the hour that he was -expelled. His guardian, a busy man whose time was so occupied that -he had little opportunity of going into outside matters, was -possessed of very little sympathy. He was, in fact, not the best -guardian for a lad, for he did not understand boys, and his mind was -so wrapped up in business matters, so encompassed as it were by -office affairs, that he could only look at outside questions -superficially. He was disgusted that his charge should have been -accused of thieving, and he thought it only natural that, when asked -as to his guilt, Dudley should make the best of a bad matter and -declare his innocence. - -"Strange! Strange!" he had said, when their interview was over. "I -have seen very little of the boy; too little in fact. But all have -been fond of him and have given him a good character. I would not -have thought him capable of such an act. But there----" - -It never occurred to him to go deeply into the matter. He took it -for granted that the evidence against his ward was convincing, and, -that being so, he at once arranged to send him out to Montevideo, -where in any case he would have gone after the next term. That done, -he said good-by to the lad, gave him some excellent and prosaic -advice, and, having seen him safely aboard, promptly dismissed the -subject of theft from his mind, and in a short while he had allowed -even the memory of his ward to be clouded by those business affairs -which were the main object of his existence. He was not an extremely -selfish man; but he was one of those business gentlemen who, being -bachelors, and immersed in city affairs, give themselves up to them -heart and soul, allowing them to take all the time and attention -which other men would give to home affairs. - -"There! Speak out. I'll listen and tell you what I think," said Mr. -Blunt. "I've had trouble myself and know what it is. Tell me the -whole tale." - -He still looked away over the rail at the tossing sea, for his words, -and his sympathy expressed by the gentle grip of his big and powerful -fingers, had a strange effect upon Dudley. He had been stunned at -first by the disaster which had befallen him. Then he had closed his -lips firmly. He had become hard, and had wrapped up his feelings in -an impenetrable cloak of silence. This tall Englishman, with his -soft, kindly voice, his openly expressed belief in him, and his -sympathetic grip, had broken Dudley's hardness and resolution. He -gulped at the lump which had suddenly risen in his throat, tears -welled up in his eyes and trickled down his cheeks, while a -half-suppressed sob escaped him. The sound brought all his manhood -back. He drew his hand out of Mr. Blunt's, straightened his back, -and dashed the tears from his eyes. - -"I will speak," he said. "I have not told a soul up to this, but now -I can say safely what I have to say. I am no thief, sir." - -"Look at me," came swiftly from his friend. "Look me in the eyes and -say that again on your honor." - -Mr. Blunt swung round, and now, instead of regarding the sea, stared -at our hero. Dudley met his gaze at once, returned his glances -without a waver, and spoke with the utmost deliberation. - -"I swear on my honor as a gentleman that I am not a thief," he said -solemnly. "If you care to hear the tale, I shall be glad to tell it -to you. It will help me immensely, for it has been weighing on my -mind." - -"Then fire away, lad. I'll listen carefully, and let you know what I -think at the end. But I say now, too, that you are no thief. I am -sure of it. No youngster of your stamp could look me in the eyes las -you have done and not be truthful. Fire away, and let me have the -whole story." - -His cigar was going again by now, and he sent big clouds rushing from -his mouth, clouds which were caught at once by the wind and whisked -away out over the sea. - -"I was at Blackheath, at a school where there were one hundred and -eighty boys," said Dudley slowly. "I had been there for five years, -and as I have told you it was arranged that I should leave after the -next term, and go out to South America. I lived at home, at my -guardian's, and saw very little of him. I suppose he paid all my -bills, and made provision for pocket money. He was fairly liberal, -so that I often had a shilling, and sometimes many, in my pocket to -use as I liked. I was a prefect." - -"A prefect!" interrupted Mr. Blunt. "Then you were not such a dunce?" - -"I was in the upper sixth, halfway up the form, sir; but though not a -dunce I was considered anything but quick. That is why I was not -selected by my guardian for office work." - -"And perhaps you will have occasion to bless the fact to the end of -your days. Give me a free and open life, where a man may work for -hours healthily and without fatigue. But I am interrupting. You -were in the sixth. You were not a dunce, and yet not brilliant. -Many and many a lad could be described in a similar manner, and of -those quite a few astonish their parents later when they have -discovered, perhaps by pure accident, the life for which they are -suited. They get congenial work and put their backs into it. Set -their shoulders to the wheel, in fact, and do well. But, there, -there, I am off again! You were fond of games? You liked cricket?" - -"Rather, sir. I always liked the game, and was captain. In fact I -was captain of the school for all games, and about tenth from the top -in classwork." - -"Then you had friends?" asked Mr. Blunt. - -"Plenty, sir, I think," was the answer. "The fellows were very good -to me when I left." - -There was silence for a while, and Mr. Blunt turned away discreetly -again, for he saw that Dudley was manfully endeavoring to suppress -his emotion. As for the lad himself, as he mentioned his friends his -thoughts flew away back to the school, where he had been so happy, -and so popular if he had not been too modest to say it. He -remembered with a pang how old school friends and chums had mustered -round him when the dreadful news was issued to all, and he, Dudley -Compton, their games captain, was declared a thief. In a hundred -little ways they had shown their belief in and sympathy for him. -Indeed, Dudley could have told how with very few exceptions the whole -school had been in his favor, how for a few hours the question of his -innocence or guilt was discussed with eagerness and no little warmth, -and how, as he drove away from the doors of the place he liked so -well, heads and arms were thrust out of every available window and -wild cheers were flung after him. Yes, he had had heaps of friends, -and many and many a time had the memory of their simple belief in him -comforted the poor fellow's aching heart. - -"Captain of the school? Then you were popular, that's clear," said -Mr. Blunt decisively. "Go on, lad. You had plenty of friends." - -"Plenty, sir. I often think of them. In the upper sixth we were a -happy family, and all got on splendidly together. One fellow, named -Joyce, was perhaps an exception." - -"Ah! Joyce. That was his name. We are coming nearer to the -matter," exclaimed Mr. Blunt, taking his cigar from his lips. "Yes?" - -"Joyce had wealthy parents, who allowed him a liberal amount of -pocket money. He was one of those fellows who cut a big dash, who -dress better than the other chaps, wear a lot of linen and scatter -their money fairly freely. In fact, he was very liberal, -particularly if he wished to secure the friendship of some particular -fellow." - -"Ah! I've met many similar men in everyday life. A little arrogant, -conceited, don't you know; inclined to give themselves airs and be -high and mighty. Often very shallow, and always fond of good things, -and in particular of scattering their cash so as to make a good -impression. Yes, they are to be met with here and there, and many -are excellent fellows at heart. They lose their conceit later and -settle down. Yes, they are their own enemies. No one takes them -very seriously. His name was Joyce?" - -"Yes, sir," replied Dudley. "He was all you say, and beyond thinking -him stuck up and foolish I certainly never had a bad word to say -about him. We were friendly, and often enough when he had run -through his monthly allowance he would come to me and borrow a -shilling or two." - -"Ah! He overspent his allowance and borrowed. A bad plan!" -exclaimed Mr. Blunt. "Never borrow and never lend unless under very -exceptional circumstances. It leads to trouble, and often loses one -a friend." - -There was silence for a little while again, as Dudley pictured the -lively, smooth-tongued Joyce, with his fine clothes, and his great -display of collar and cuff, while Mr. Blunt no doubt was occupied -with his own thoughts. Perhaps he could tell tales of lending and -borrowing which had led to misery and trouble. He tossed the stump -of his weed into the air, where the gale caught it and whisked it -overboard. Then he turned again to Dudley and spoke abruptly. - -"Joyce borrowed once too often," he said with decision. "He asked -you to lend him something, and in some manner implicated you in this -theft. He was the culprit." - -"Without a doubt, sir," answered Dudley promptly. "I can say it to -you safely, I know. Joyce was the thief. It was he who stole the -money, and he it was who should have been expelled." - -"Humph! You know that now. Did you know it then? Did you shield -him?" - -The questions were fired at our hero one after another, while the -answers were awaited with eagerness, for Mr. Blunt was more than a -little interested in the tale his young friend had to tell him. - -"I am sure of it now. I am as certain that Joyce stole the money as -I am that you and I are seated here. I guessed it at the time. -There was scarcely any possibility that it could be anyone else. But -I could not speak. If he was the thief he was there to admit it. He -heard me accused, and if he was the culprit it was his duty to come -forward." - -"Duty! Of course it was, lad. But it isn't every boy, or man for -the matter of that, who has the moral pluck to confess to a theft -even when he sees a friend accused of the act of which he himself is -guilty. You relied on his honor and pluck. You were too proud to -speak. Go on. I am interested." - -"There is little more to tell you, sir," continued Dudley. "It seems -that there had been robberies from one of the masters' rooms. I was -warned of the fact, and indeed did what I could to put a stop to the -matter, for such things are exceedingly disagreeable in a school. -But they still continued, and as a result a trap was set for the -thief. Money had been disappearing from one of the masters' rooms, -and it was hard to say who could take it, for several of the upper -school had occasion to go to that room during the day. I was often -there, and so were Joyce and other members of the sixth. But you can -guess what happened. Some silver was placed in a drawer, the one -from which other sums had been taken, and that silver was marked. It -disappeared, and promptly the whole school was mustered in its -various rooms, and each one ordered to bring out his purse or show -the money he possessed. Seven shillings had been stolen, all marked -coins. Six of those shillings were found in my purse." - -He stopped abruptly, all the bitterness of the old scene returning at -once. He recollected how he had produced his little wealth, how he -had rolled the silver on to the desk, and how, all of a sudden, the -face of the headmaster had changed. He had looked incredulous, then -as if deeply pained. A second later he was questioning Dudley in icy -tones. - -"This is your money?" he asked. "You are sure that it is yours?" - -"Quite," was Dudley's easy answer. "It is all that I possess, sir." - -"Then it is not yours, sir. Those shillings were stolen from the -very drawer from which many thefts have taken place. See for -yourself. They are marked. They have been stolen. I am grieved to -have to call you a thief. Go to your room at once, sir." - -The whole dreadful scene flashed before his eyes. He remembered his -own amazement, how the accusation had stunned his senses so that he -could not even protest his innocence, and how, without a word, he had -gone to his room. And there, what agony of mind he had suffered till -the school was assembled, and he was declared the culprit before them -all. It was then that Dudley had recovered his courage and found -power to speak. Very quietly, and with an earnestness which would -have impressed anyone, he declared his innocence. - -"I swear that those marked shillings were given me scarcely two hours -before my purse was examined. They were given me by one of the boys -of this school who owed me six shillings." - -"His name?" the headmaster had demanded icily. - -"I cannot give it. I am not here to accuse a comrade," Dudley -answered firmly. - -"Then I will ask the question. Boys," said the headmaster, "a series -of despicable thefts has been taking place. I was determined to put -a stop to them, and for that purpose placed seven marked shillings in -a drawer in Mr. Harland's room. Those shillings were stolen, and -within two hours six of them were found in the purse of your late -captain. You have heard what he has to say. Is there any truth in -it? Is there a boy here who owed him money, and refunded it after -the theft? I beg of him, if that boy is here, to come forward and -save the honor of Dudley Compton." - -Silence was his only answer. The boys looked askance at one another, -and two or three of the older ones even glanced across at Joyce. But -the latter looked as jaunty and cool as ever. His eyes were fixed on -the headmaster, and he seemed to have forgotten poor Dudley. But his -heart was beating furiously. His legs would hardly support him, and -the boy was trying and trying to screw up his courage to declare -himself the thief, and so save his old friend and comrade. He -hesitated. Dread of what would follow sealed his lips, and in a -second or two the opportunity had gone. It was too late to speak. -Dudley was condemned to be expelled, and was already out of the room. -Only when Joyce returned to his own cubicle did the enormity of his -offence fully appeal to him. Then, when it was almost too late, he -saw what a coward he had been, how dishonorable and despicable had -been his conduct. For he it was who had actually stolen the coins. -In fact it was Joyce who had for some time been acting as a common -thief. He had been tempted. The power to spend money, to be able to -cut a dash and appear grand before his fellows, possessed a huge -fascination for him, and he had fallen to the temptation. After that -he had repeated the offence. And now he groaned when he reflected on -this last act, to which thieving had led him. He had always had a -large amount of friendly feeling for Dudley. He had looked up to the -lad, recognizing in him a stronger nature. And now he had stood -aside and had seen him condemned, knowing all the while that he was -innocent. - -"I can't bear it. I will go at once and set the matter right," he -cried. - -He rushed to the door of his cubicle, dragged it open, and ran into -the passage. And there his courage again oozed through his finger -tips. It was so easy to let matters rest where they were. It was so -hard to go and make that declaration, and afterwards to be expelled, -to face all that that meant. He hesitated, returned to the cubicle -to think it over, and finally did nothing. But for days and weeks -Dudley's look of anguish haunted him. Joyce became a different -person. He no longer displayed such an amount of linen. His clothes -were less conspicuous, and the cash which he had freely spent before -was now kept in his pocket. Remorse was steadily altering the boy. -The subject of the theft was never out of his mind in waking hours, -and when asleep he even dreamed of poor Dudley. For Joyce was not a -bad fellow at heart. True, he was a thief, a mean contemptible -thief; but there was a lot of good in the lad if only he could be -induced to show a little more moral courage. If he had been -otherwise, if he had been hardened and callous, he would hardly have -given a thought to his crime, or to the suffering imposed on Dudley. -At length, tortured by the recollection of what he had done, he -finally resolved to declare his guilt, and straightway went to the -headmaster. Later, strong in his purpose, he faced the whole school, -admitted that he was guilty, and begged earnestly that every boy -present would recollect that Dudley was innocent. Then he left the -school, and once at home set about to consider how he was to make -amends to Dudley. - -Dudley finished his portion of the tale while Mr. Blunt listened -attentively. - -"Joyce could have saved me," he said solemnly. "He owed me money, -and repaid it with the coins which were marked. How did he become -possessed of them? And remember, sir, that scarcely two hours passed -between the theft and the discovery of the marked coins. To my mind -there is no doubt that Joyce was the guilty person, and I am sure -that if he had had more pluck he would have come forward. In any -case I am sure that life has been unbearable to him since. At heart -he is a decent fellow, and I am certain that his conscience will have -been very active." - -"And you were expelled? You went out of that house knowing what you -tell me, and yet you would not speak?" - -Mr. Blunt asked the question quietly, while the look in his eyes -belied his manner and showed plainly that he was not a little excited. - -"What else could I do, sir?" came the simple answer. "I was not -absolutely sure, and even then it was not for me to clear myself at -the expense of a comrade." - -"Tommy rot! False pride, sir! A wrong impression of your duty to -your comrades! But it was fine! Shake hands!" - -Mr. Blunt seized Dudley's hand and shook it eagerly, his eyes -flashing strangely as he did so. - -"I repeat, it was wrong," he said earnestly, "but none the less you -were a true comrade. You were not certain, and I know how hateful it -is to have to accuse a friend. Rather than do that you suffered. -Well, all I have to say is this: If that lad Joyce does not admit his -guilt very soon, and entirely clear you, he is a cur of the worst -description. It is bad enough for him to be a thief. It is worse -when he has so little pluck that he can stand by and see another -accused and disgraced, whom he knows to be innocent. No, if he does -nothing he is a cur. But I shall be surprised if the lad does not -learn a serious lesson, and I look to this matter to make a man of -him. I expect that guilty lad to turn over a new leaf, to give up -thieving and his shallow ways, and to act like a man. There, Dudley, -you and I understand each other. You at least have behaved with -honor. You know you are no thief, and you are equally sure that I, -who have heard the tale, believe implicitly in you. Banish it from -your mind for a time. Do not brood on it. Let the future set -matters right, for I look forward to the day when you will return to -that school to listen to the apologies of your masters. Now let me -tell you more of Entre Rios, of the Pampas, and of the gauchos and -the Indians." - -They sat chatting for two hours, after which another meal was served, -when Dudley descended to the saloon boldly, feeling himself again, -and fresh and hungry. More than that, now that he had unburdened -himself to this stranger, to whom, boylike, he had taken such a -sudden fancy, he felt much happier. A huge weight was lifted from -his mind, and he felt that he could go on without brooding on his -misfortune, in the hope that something would occur to set the matter -right. Indeed, thanks to Mr. Blunt's lively chatter, to the vivid -descriptions he gave of South America, and to the narratives of his -adventures there, Dudley very soon was taken entirely out of himself. -A bright prospect was opened up before his eyes, and he longed for -the hour of their arrival, wishing many a time that he were going to -Mr. Blunt's estancia. - -Two days later the wind went down, the sea became smooth, while the -passengers put in an appearance one by one, looking pale and -emaciated after their trying experience. The ship made Cape St. -Vincent, having called in at Lisbon, and in due course furrowed her -way across the wide Atlantic to Rio de Janeiro. By that time all the -passengers were on excellent terms. - -Every day Dudley had spent an hour under his friend's tuition with -gun and revolver, till he had become an expert and an exceedingly -rapid shot. Bottles and old boxes tossed into the sea had made -excellent targets. - -"You will do well if there is trouble, and it may come when you least -expect it," said Mr. Blunt. "Remember this, the gauchos, as we call -the natives of the country, are extremely polite to one another and -to strangers, but one meets a ruffian now and again, and all are very -excitable. They are quick to take advantage of one who they think is -helpless, and more particularly of a gringo. You can hold your own -at shooting. It now remains for you to learn to ride the wildest -animal that can be provided." - -On the following day the ship dropped her anchor off Rio de Janeiro, -and the passengers made ready to go ashore. Dudley was to accompany -his friend, and ran below at the last moment to fetch a stick which -he had left in his cabin. As he reached the deck again, one of the -ship's boats was being lowered, two of the sailors standing at the -slings at the bow and stern of the boat, while Mr. Blunt and another -passenger sat in the centre. - -"A free ride," he sang out to Dudley. "We shall be in the water in a -moment, when you can join me." - -Hardly had he spoken when there was a shout from the deck, the men -who were lowering the slings gave exclamations of dismay, and in a -second the swinging boat fell from one of the davits, the slings at -one end having parted, and hung, bow downwards, with her nose just -dipping into the water. Her sudden upset was accompanied by four -loud splashes, as the two passengers and the sailors were thrown into -the water, and then by loud calls, and by a titter from those on the -deck above. For all who had been tossed so unceremoniously into the -sea were able to swim, and as Dudley looked over the side, there they -were, treading water and looking up to the rail, Mr. Blunt's -sunburned features unusually jovial, while a broad smile was on his -lips. - -"Spoke too soon and too truly," he sang out, seeing his young friend. -"Said we should be in the water in a moment, and here we are, very -wet, too." - -Dudley laughed, for the scene was very comical. He clambered on to -the rail, and leaned over, holding all the while to a halyard. Then, -of a sudden, he became pale, his eyes opened wide, and he shouted -with consternation. His eye had caught the flicker of a passing -shadow down in the depths, a shadow which had rapidly enlarged and -become brighter, till it developed into a long, silvery streak, -getting broader every moment as the monster shark, for such it was, -turned over preparatory to seizing its prey. It swirled across the -few yards between it and the swimmers, selected one, and rushed -open-mouthed at him. A second later, while the passengers above -shrieked in consternation, the cruel beast had seized Mr. Blunt by -the elbow and was endeavoring to back away, while the victim, -suddenly realizing his precarious condition, snatched at the hanging -bow of the boat, and clung there for life. - -Dudley did not hesitate. He flung the stick behind him, took one -swift glance below, and then leaped at the monster, hoping to strike -him as he fell, or to frighten him by the splash he made. It was -madness, perhaps, to make such an attempt. It was endangering his -own life for that of a friend. But he had a warm heart and a brave -one, and, moreover, he felt that he already owed Mr. Blunt a debt of -gratitude. He could not stand there and see him dragged down beneath -the surface. He must make an effort for him, and with that gallant -resolve he plunged into the water. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -THE HOME ON THE PAMPAS - -Shouts of excitement, the shrill falsetto of one of the lady -passengers shrieking in her fright, and loud cries of encouragement -accompanied Dudley as he sprang into the sea, and were cut off -abruptly as the water closed over his head. A burly sailor, -barefooted and with dripping hands, leaped on to the rail, and -clambered out on to the stern of the dangling boat, from which point -of vantage he stared down at Mr. Blunt as he struggled with the -shark, and deep and bitter words escaped his bearded lips in his -excitement. Then a stout little passenger, with florid countenance -and remarkably bald head, followed him on to the rail, and for an -instant appeared as if he would leap after the young fellow. The -intention was there, the fire of youth was in his eye, and no doubt -this stout little man had, in his young days, been capable of a -rescue. But he was too stout now, and he knew it. He paused, held -back, and then shouted like a maniac. Behind him the other -passengers crowded, till a voice ordered them to stand aside. - -"Stand away, gentlemen, please" came from the captain in stern tones. -"Allow this man to pass. Now, lads, sling him over, and, Tom, make -good use of that boat-hook." - -Quick as lightning a sailor thrust his way through the throng, -clambered over the rail, and let himself go, four of his comrades -lowering him hurriedly by means of a stout rope till he was close to -the water and within reach of the struggle. Meanwhile Dudley had -struck out, had reached the surface, and had looked round for Mr. -Blunt and the shark. Hardly half a minute had passed since he leaped -from the rail, but in that short space of time he had decided on his -course of action, though when he plunged into the water he had no -idea what course to pursue. Then, like a flash, he remembered -reading in some book about sharks, and of how natives in some odd -corner of the world were in the habit of attacking them. - -"A shark is helpless if you can tear his tail," he said to himself. -"I recollect the natives did it with their teeth. I'll try." - -Treading water for an instant, he saw the long, ugly snout of the -monster close to Mr. Blunt's shoulder, he noticed the crimson streaks -which now dyed the sea, and also how the dangling boat swayed as the -man clung desperately to it. Then he drew in a big breath, dived -beneath the surface, and struck out for the tail of the giant fish, -easily seen at that distance. It was still for the moment, the -monster simply retaining its hold and clinging to Mr. Blunt's arm. -Dudley darted towards it, seized it between both hands, and pulled -with all his strength, only to find that his hands slipped from the -surface, and to receive a blow from the tail which beat him off -promptly. But he was returning to the attack within an instant, and -knowing that there was no time to be lost, he gripped at the tail -again, dug his fingers into the slippery surface, and a second later -had buried his teeth in the centre of the very extremity. Ah! This -was different. He had a firm hold this time, and though the beast -made frantic efforts to throw him off he clung to the tail, and with -a sudden movement of both arms and of his teeth ripped it from end to -end. Not till then did he let go his hold, to rise, gasping, to the -surface a moment later. - -What a shout greeted him! Hoarse roars of excitement, bravoes, and -the hysterical shrieks of the lady passenger fell on his ears. - -"Bravely done! A splendid act, and the only effective way to tackle -him," shouted the captain, now standing on the rail and clinging to a -halyard. "He has let go his hold! Strike at the brute, Tom. You -have him within reach. Ah! That should settle the matter." - -He leaned over, breathless with excitement, and watched as the -sailor, dangling over the side, steadied himself against the ship -with his bare toes, aimed at the floundering fish, and then struck -with the boat-hook with all his strength, driving the iron end deep -into the shark's body. - -"Hold him, Tom," called out the captain. "Mr. Blunt, trail on to the -bow of the boat for a moment longer. Another is being lowered from -the port side, and will be round. You're all right?" - -"Never stronger in my life," came the cool answer. "But that brute -has mauled my shoulder rather badly. Who came after me?" - -"Dudley Compton," shouted the stout passenger, now all aquiver with -excitement. "The brave lad leaped straight in." - -"I thought he would. I guessed he would be the one," came the calm -reply. "Don't fret, Skipper. We're all snug down here for a while -if there are no more of those brutes. Ha, Dudley, that you?" - -He nodded coolly as the young fellow swam to his side and gripped the -bows. - -"Look before you leap," he laughed. "In other words, don't dive into -a sea where sharks are expected." - -The man was made of iron. Dudley watched him closely as they clung, -waiting for the relief boat, and plainly saw the lines of pain drawn -on his friend's face, the suffering which this strong settler from -South America was too proud and too courageous to show. He was -suffering, anyone could tell that from the red streaks which issued -from the rents in his coat, and he was shaken, for his lips twitched -suspiciously. - -"You're hurt, sir. Shall I hold you and so take the weight from your -other arm." - -"Hold me! Not a bit of it, Dudley!" came the swift answer. "Hush! -I'm hurt I know, but a man recovers sooner if he shows pluck about a -thing of this sort. Lad, if I had a hand to grip yours!" - -There was a depth of feeling now in the voice, feeling which he would -not show before. Mr. Blunt looked at his young deliverer with eyes -which displayed his gratitude plainly. Then his features hardened, -and Dudley saw the lines of pain again. At that moment the boat, -which had been hastily lowered, came round the stern of the vessel, -and the five who were in the water were lifted into her and conveyed -to the gangway, which had now been dropped from the rail. They were -greeted with shouts of delight, and Mr. Blunt was hurried off a -second later by the captain to have his wounds attended to. For no -surgeon was carried, and almost every skipper of ocean-going vessels -in those days had picked up a smattering of surgical and medical -knowledge from the seaman's hospital at Greenwich or in other ports. -As for Dudley, he was seized upon by the passengers, hoisted to the -shoulders of the stout and enthusiastic little man who had seemed on -the point of following him into the water, and with the help of two -others he was conveyed down to the saloon. - -"There is no fear of his getting a chill out in these waters," cried -the little man, blowing with his exertions. "Gentlemen----Pardon, -ladies and gentlemen, for I see that there are two ladies with us, we -cannot let Mr. Compton go to his cabin without a word of commendation -for his pluck. He is just fresh from the most gallant rescue that I -have ever witnessed, and there is no time therefore like the present. -I speak for all here, my dear lad, for the passengers and crew of -this vessel. We are proud to have you amongst us, and we thank you -for letting us see what a young Englishman can do. It was fine, sir! -Grand! I wish the lad were my son." - -He beamed on Dudley, shook his wet hand till our hero winced, and -then pushed him into the midst of the other passengers. It was, in -consequence, a very bewildered young fellow who escaped from their -friendly and enthusiastic attentions at length, and made his way into -his cabin. Nor did congratulations cease for many an hour, for on -that very afternoon a select committee of passengers went ashore and -returned in the evening with a bulky package. That night, after -supper had been served, for that was the custom in the days of which -we write, the captain rose from his seat at the table. - -"Ladies and gentlemen," he said quietly, "it has fallen to my lot to -perform a pleasant duty for one and all of us. This morning a member -of this ship's company, who, if he will excuse my saying so, is -little more than a boy, behaved like a man, a very gallant man, let -me add. He showed us in one fearful moment how self can be forgotten -in the hope of helping others. That he may never forget this noble -act, that we may show him what we think of his courage, we ask him to -accept this memento. He needs nothing to stimulate his courage, but -at times these useful little implements may remind him that he has -behaved like a man, and can look the bravest in the face without -flinching." - -Short and crisp, and happily turned, the speech drew loud cheers from -the assembled passengers, from the stewards, and from the sailors -crowding in the doorway, while from Dudley there came a gasp of -surprise, and two tears welled up in the corners of his eyes. The -lad had met with very little kindness during his young life; his had -been a somewhat lonely existence, and such notice was strange to him. -He walked with unsteady feet to the captain, and looked at the -memento with eyes which were blurred. In a splendid leather case, -housed in suitable compartments, were a double-barrelled shot-gun, a -rifle of fine workmanship, and a revolver of the latest pattern. No -wonder his heart swelled with gratitude. He turned to express his -thanks, strove manfully to steady his lips, and, failing hopelessly, -stared round at the assembled people. A second later his friend came -to the rescue. Mr. Blunt sprang to his feet, cool as ever, his face -just a little paler perhaps, and his arm in a sling. - -"Permit me, captain, and you, ladies and gentlemen, to answer for my -young friend and deliverer," he said. "No one here should appreciate -the truth of the words which our captain has used more than I, and -all must know how deeply grateful I am. Mr. Compton saved my life. -He rescued me from a horrible death, and in doing so performed a -gallant act. You have presented him with a handsome memento, which I -know he will always treasure, and for which he is deeply grateful. I -know that he would tell you that he has done nothing, that Mr. Carter -there was about to attempt the same thing; but we know--in his own -heart he knows--that he has done well. Yet this memento seems in his -eyes too fine a thing. He does not realize that you who looked on -cannot recognize such gallantry too handsomely, nor that I, if I were -to present him with a memento of a thousand times its value should -still be his debtor for life. Ladies and gentlemen, our young friend -has started his new life well; he has won your unstinted praise, and -to the end of his life he will remember this day. He thanks you for -your overwhelming kindness." - -There were more cheers at that, while the stout little man who had -been so unexpectedly referred to flushed to the top of his bald head -and shook his fist at Mr. Blunt. Dudley, still covered with -confusion, took up his guncase and rushed to the privacy of his -cabin, where he threw himself on his bunk and buried his face in his -hands. He was shaken. He felt more confused and unnerved by far -than he had done immediately after the rescue. - -"If only they would forget all about it," he groaned. "If only Mr. -Carter had been first, then there would have been no need for me." - -"While I should not have lived to thank you," said a voice at his -elbow. "Come, Dudley, let us look at the guns. My word, you are -well set up for the new life! You will have to hide this case, or -the gauchos will think you are a desperate fellow and will leave you -very severely alone. And, by the way, I have something to say to -you. You hoped to meet a Mr. Bradshaw?" - -Dudley shot up suddenly, ashamed of the emotion he had shown. - -"Yes, sir," he said. "I was to disembark at Montevideo, and you told -me that you would help me when I landed. I suppose I shall have -little difficulty?" - -"None whatever," was the calm answer. "That is, you will have no -great trouble before you in finding work, for that, I suppose, is -what you want." - -"I will do anything," replied our hero eagerly. "I have fifty pounds -in my valise, which will keep me going for some time. I hope to -obtain employment with my guardian's friend. He promised to keep a -place for me." - -"And would keep that promise were he able to. But listen, my lad. I -have kept the news from you till this. Mr. Bradshaw was killed six -months ago in one of the frequent Indian raids. His estancia was -sold up at once, and his successor might not want hands. But I do. -Will you come? I offer you a fair wage, plain living in my house, -and plenty of exercise." - -Would he come? Would Dudley accept a post than which he could wish -for nothing better? - -Our hero leaped to the floor of the cabin and stared at his friend, -too much surprised at the news he had just learned to make a reply. -It was a blow to him to hear that this Mr. Bradshaw was dead, and -that the friend to whom he was going would not be there to greet and -help him. But that disappointment was wiped away in an instant by -the handsome offer made him. - -"I am truly sorry about Mr. Bradshaw," he said at last, "and I thank -you from the bottom of my heart for your offer. Of course I accept -it. I would come for nothing, for I expect I shall be useless at -first, and as you offer me a home, I shall be able to look round and -get to know the country. There is no one with whom I would go so -gladly as with you." - -"Then the matter is settled. You are my employé from this moment," -was the swift answer. "Your salary will commence from to-day also, -as I shall wish to commence your instruction immediately. No, not a -word of protest, if you please! You are too apt to make little of -yourself. You say that you will be useless till you know the work -required on a rancho. That is not so. Any young fellow who is -willing, and does not fight shy when work is in prospect, can make -himself of use. A day or two will teach him sufficient, and after -that he is becoming more efficient every hour. But I want to tell -you something more. This post that you have accepted is no sinecure. -You will be about at the first streak of day and galloping over the -rancho. Often enough you will be sent off on expeditions to round up -cattle and horses, and on those occasions you will not even have a -tent. You will sleep with the stars twinkling overhead, and wake -with the dew lying heavily on you. Maybe, on rare occasions, a frost -will come, and then your blanket covering will be stiff with cold." - -Dudley laughed a gay laugh, which showed that none of these hardships -had any terrors for him. - -"It will be a grand experience, sir," he smiled. "Besides, have you -not lived that sort of life for years? And look how fit and well you -are." - -"It has made a man of me, lad. When I am away from the house on the -rancho I feel free as the air. I eat and sleep heartily, and fine -weather, sunshine, frost, or rain are one and the same to me. Give -me the gauchos' camp on the plains, or amidst the small forests, the -crackling fire of thistle tops, a saddle to rest my head on, and a -thick blanket to cover me. I am happy then. I enjoy every minute of -the day, and sleep soundly at night. But there is something else. -Lad, there are Indians. I have been raided twice already, and on -each occasion I have escaped only by the skin of my teeth. Fifteen -of my gauchos were killed on the last occasion, and all my stock was -cleared out." - -"And still you are going back to the place, and sighing to get there, -sir," came Dudley's answer, short and abrupt. "If you can face an -Indian raid, why, I shall try to do so also." - -"Then our compact is settled. Not that I thought that you would -flinch; but there are some who would. Now for a few words as to -myself. You have told me who you are. I will let you have a little -of my own history. You hear me use strange expressions sometimes. -They are Italian, and though I am an Englishman born and bred, yet I -have Italian sympathies and interests. My father lived many years in -Rome, and often had a villa in Sicily, to which I used to go for my -holidays. I speak Italian like a native, and know the southern -portions of Italy and the whole of Sicily very well. I married an -Italian lady, and settled in the island I have mentioned, till one of -the foulest acts of treachery drove me from it and sent me out here. -You have heard of the vendetta?" - -Dudley had heard of it in some obscure way, and had a faint idea of -its meaning, but he was not quite sure. - -"I fancy it is sometimes a secret society," he said. "Or perhaps it -is an oath which certain families take, that they will be revenged on -some individual or even on a whole family. They plot and plan for -years, if need be, till their revenge is accomplished." - -"Just so; the latter is more correct. It is a hateful practice, and -is one which might be expected in a country such as Italy, where -secret societies abound, where men are condemned before secret -tribunals, and assassinated by the poniard of a ruffian who, beyond -his interest in this society, has no direct animus against the -condemned man. Dudley, my wife's family had fallen under the ban of -some secret society the members of which are, to the best of my -belief, all of one family. These wretches murdered her father, and -would have done the same by the mother had not a kind providence -removed her peacefully before their poniards could reach her heart. -That did not satisfy them. They slew my dear wife, and would have -assassinated me and my little daughter had I not escaped from the -country. They drove me out, and I sailed for South America, where -there are many Italians, a number of whom, however, have now returned -to their native country with Garibaldi. But that does not concern us -now. My daughter, a child of your age, is settled in a convent near -Naples, where she is secure, and where she has been for the past six -years, passing under an assumed name. For myself, one of these days -I may be able to return to Italy, where I should like to live, for -the warmth suits me, and I feel at home. Also I have an estate in -Sicily. There, I have bored you, I fear." - -Dudley shook his head emphatically, for, on the contrary, he had been -vastly interested. Many a time during the voyage he had wondered -what there was about his friend which made him so different from -other men. He was sure that he had a history, and now he had learned -it. - -"It seems terrible that such things should occur," he said aloud. -"In England we have nothing like it, for the people would not allow -such revenge and such assassinations. You have found security in -this country, sir?" - -"Would that I had," came the answer. "I thought that by coming here -I should escape these miscreants, but that is not the case. It is -true that I have been far more secure, for the simple reason that out -on the ranchos there are so few men that a stranger is at once -noticeable. We want to know at once who the man is, where he comes -from, and what he wants. I have faithful gauchos there who would -protect me, and who may be relied on to give me instant warning of -danger. And yet I know that one Indian raid at least was instigated -by my enemies, and I was once attacked in the streets of Montevideo. -There is, indeed, no doubt that the ruffians who slew my wife would -willingly kill me and my child. However, they have a big, strong man -to deal with, and if I catch them in the act of attacking, why----" - -The big, strong fingers of his uninjured hand formed themselves into -a sturdy fist. The man's stern, sun-tanned face hardened, and there -came over his features a look which told better than any words that -Mr. Blunt would deal promptly and with the utmost severity with his -enemies. - -"Yes," he went on, "they shall have little leniency from me, for -nothing but the severest measures and a stern example will stop their -practices. However, do not let me trouble you any longer. I have -told you that many political exiles from Italy have come to South -America and have settled near Montevideo, and, knowing that, you can -realize that one or more can send news of me to these people in -Italy. There are paid spies amongst them, and if I were to take up -my quarters for long in one of the towns, such as Montevideo or -Buenos Ayres, why, I should be inviting trouble. There are ruffians -to be employed in every city. Now, let us take a stroll on deck. -The city of Rio looks magnificent when seen from the sea." - -They clambered up the companion and strolled arm in arm from bow to -stern, their eyes tracing the city by the numerous lights which -twinkled from streets and windows. Late that night they turned in, -Mr. Blunt to fall asleep at once, in spite of his wounded shoulder, -and Dudley to lie awake and think, and dream of the life before him, -of camp fires, of a bed beneath the stars, and of a life of freedom -and hardship out in the open. - -"Just what I should like," he said over and over again to himself. -"I shall do my best to become expert with a horse and to keep up my -shooting, while I shall try to learn the business of managing a -rancho. Perhaps some of these days I might become manager for Mr. -Blunt, or even his partner. At any rate I mean to get on and make a -living." - -He fell into an uneasy slumber at last, and gradually his still -active brain turned from the pampas, from what he imagined a rancho -to be, to Italy, to the terrible vendetta which had cast such a cloud -over his friend's life. Little did he imagine, or even dream, that -in days soon to come he, Dudley Compton, would become involved in -that vendetta himself, and stand in fear of his life. - -Early on the following morning the anchor was roused, the sails -hoisted, and the ship set on a course for Montevideo. A week later -they came to a rest off the town. - -"We get off here and transship to a river boat," said Mr. Blunt. "I -have friends ashore, and we will stay with them for a couple of days, -while I lay in a stock of stores for the rancho. At the same time we -will get you a suitable outfit. In those clothes you are at once -conspicuous, while, if dressed in gaucho costume, no one will know -you from a native of the place, for you are as brown as any white man -could be." - -Having shaken hands with the officers and the passengers who still -remained aboard, Dudley clutched his guncase in his hand and went -over the side into the small boat awaiting them. They were rowed to -the quay, and soon were at the house of Mr. Blunt's friends. Two -days later they embarked on a small river boat, a mass of stores -being placed aboard under Dudley's supervision. - -"Check every article carefully," said Mr. Blunt, "for though people -are for the most part honest, it is as well to remember that a -ruffian is to be found here and there. How do you like your new -outfit, lad? You look well in it." - -Dudley colored, for he had donned the garments for the first time -that morning. He wore a shirt of dark-blue flannel, open at the neck -save where the folds of an ample red scarf surrounded the collar. A -wide sombrero of black felt covered his head, an ostrich feather -standing up from the ribbon. His nether garments consisted of a pair -of trousers of light material; and over these he wore a pair of split -buckskin leggings, reaching to his waist, fringed with leather -tassels on either side, and the whole held in position by a strong -leather belt which encircled his waist, and in which a hunting knife -was thrust. On his right hip, with the butt protruding from the top -of the pocket stitched to the leggings, was his revolver, so placed -that it was always ready to his hand, and yet was out of the way on -ordinary occasions, and clear of the saddle when riding. A pair of -enormous spurs, with big rowels, completed his outfit, but he wisely -refrained from wearing them. - -"It takes a little time to get accustomed to such big bits of metal -on one's heels," laughed Mr. Blunt. "A man looks very foolish if he -happens to trip; and besides, a rowel can inflict a nasty wound on -one's foot. Once we are off you can put them on, and practise -walking with them, and when we reach our port you will feel more at -home with them. I will see that you have a quiet horse, and can -leave it to you to swing yourself into the saddle as if you had been -at it all your life. Your poncho will always be strapped to the back -of the saddle." - -Some ten days later they arrived at the up-country port at which they -were to disembark, Dudley being amazed at the size of the River -Paraná. By then he was well accustomed to his new outfit, and was -able to walk with ease and certainty in spite of his spurs. They -went ashore, checked their goods, and handed them over to a party of -gauchos who had come from the rancho to meet their employer. - -"They will load them up on pack horses and come through after us," -said Mr. Blunt. "Now, Dudley, this horse will suit you, and the -stirrup leathers are, I should say, of a suitable length. Remember -to keep your toes in, and your spurs clear of the flanks, or he will -soon tell you that you are a novice. Pick up your reins, take a grip -of his mane with the fingers of the same hand, and then tuck your toe -into the stirrup. A little effort will carry you into the saddle, -when you will easily get your other stirrup by a little manipulation. -On no account place it on your toe with your hand." - -The group of gauchos, dusky-faced and well-set-up fellows, who had -come to meet Mr. Blunt, stood watching the two as they mounted. -Their keen eyes had so far detected nothing about our hero save his -youth, and perhaps the newness of his costume. They looked on -critically as he went up to his horse, put his fingers beneath the -girth to see that it was secure, and then patted the animal. Dudley -was not going to be hurried, though he felt all those eyes on him. -He picked up his reins, just as he had been taught to do at home, -twisted a few locks of the long mane round his finger, and then put -his toe in the stirrup. After that it was simple work to mount, and -in less time than it takes to tell of it he was astride the saddle, -and by good luck his other toe had found its stirrup. - -"_Bueno_! He has ridden, but he is a gringo for all that," exclaimed -one of the gauchos. "What is this tale of the master's?" - -"The lad rescued him from a shark. Leaped into the water, and tore -the brute's tail to shreds. He has pluck!" - -"He will suit us, comrades," chimed in another. "I have asked the -hands aboard, and they say that he has good manners, that he speaks -politely to all, and that he is no duffer. There is a tale that he -can shoot." - -At that they pricked up their ears, for a gringo might ride fairly -well, he might have ample pluck, but shoot!--no, that was an art -learned only on the pampas. - -"I will give my rifle to you, Pietro," growled one of their number, a -rough-looking fellow. "Listen, I will give you my rifle if this -gringo can hit the pith ball of a bolas placed on a fence thirty -paces distant. That is, with the revolver. Anyone could do it with -a rifle." - -"And I will return the gift," came the answer. "I know nothing for -sure, mark you, _amigo_, but the young señor is a good fellow, and he -will try to win for me. _Bueno!_ We will set to work to pack the -animals." - -Mr. Blunt had been careful to tell a portion of Dudley's tale on -landing, knowing that his gallant act would win him more friends -amongst the rough gauchos than would the fact that he was a protégé -of his. - -"He has come with me as a friend and employé," he told the head man -of the gauchos, "and saved my life from a shark. You will find the -young señor an excellent fellow." - -Little did Dudley know what had happened. But he could see out of -the tail of his eye as he rode off that the men were not disposed to -be unfriendly to him. He felt glad that he had been able to mount -his horse with such ease and dexterity, and he promised himself that -he would do all he could to become a perfect horseman. - -That night they lay down by the camp fire and slept beneath the -stars. On the following day, having ridden across miles of sweeping -pampas, they came to a strip of forest country, beside which were -some buildings. - -"Our home for the future," sang out Mr. Blunt. "Welcome to the -rancho!" - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -AN ENGLISH GRINGO - -"We will make the most of our time while the men are absent," said -Mr. Blunt, as he and Dudley sat outside the door of the principal -building of the rancho on the night of their arrival. "As you see, I -have a native servant here, who does the cooking and house duties for -me. He is a faithful fellow and has been in my employ for many -years; in fact, he has been at this special work ever since an Indian -bullet lamed him and made him unable to mount a horse. He will not -see you during the day, while the twenty odd men I have at the rancho -will not put in an appearance for many days, as they are out branding -the cattle." - -"So that I shall have some time to look about me and pick up my -duties," suddenly exclaimed Dudley, stretching his legs out and -rubbing the back of his knees. Two days in the saddle had stiffened -his limbs, and the unaccustomed exercise had chafed the skin from his -legs. He felt sore and uncomfortable, and many a time on this last -day he would have dismounted had he not been determined to master his -horse and do exactly what Mr. Blunt did. - -"Stiff and sore?" asked his employer with a laugh. "Yes, I have seen -that. You managed to get across your horse at the landing stage in a -very creditable manner. Not that you deceived the gauchos. They are -too knowing for that. They saw, of course, that you had been in a -saddle before. But even if they had been children they would have -guessed that you had had very little practice. You see, once a -horseman always one. Nearly six months later I return to this -country and fall into its ways as if I had been away for only a day. -My saddle comes as easy to me as a chair does to you, no doubt. My -feet find the stirrups at once, and if there were need I could ride -without them. Watch the gauchos when they return with our pack -animals. They are amongst the finest horsemen. I have known, and -there are few of the rough beasts that we capture from the pampas -that they cannot ride after some little difficulty has been got over. -They scarcely touch the stirrup, but place a hand on the neck of the -beast and vault into the saddle. That's what I want you to practise, -Dudley. The men will hardly reach here for a week, for they have a -large amount of stuff to bring, and will come very slowly. Take your -horse at dawn and make a wide circle round the rancho. Don't be -afraid of riding off the place, for the land for fifteen miles round -here belongs to me, though there is not a fence or a boundary stone -to show where the property comes to an end. Get some food from -Francia, the cook, take a shotgun with you, and spend the whole day -in the saddle. Yes, yes, I know that you are sore," he went on, -indulging in another smile at Dudley's expense, as the latter stroked -his knees again. "I will give you something which will harden the -skin, and to-morrow night you will be quite comfortable. Now, lad, -how do you think you will like the life?" - -"Immensely!" came the prompt reply. "Of course I am more or less -ignorant of it at present, and perhaps I ought to have kept my -opinion till I have seen and experienced more. But who could not -like this open-air existence. It is so warm out on these plains, so, -so----" - -"Exhilarating," suggested Mr. Blunt. "Yes, a man feels fit and keen -here. The air is a tonic to those who are weaklings when they come -to the pampas, and many a delicate man have I seen get strong and -healthy after a few months. Look at the sky! That is the sort of -ceiling we have at night for the greater part of the year. The stars -are brilliant, and that crescent of the moon makes the place almost -as light as during the day." - -Dudley stretched a little farther out in the bent-wood chair in which -he was seated, and stared up at the glittering sky above, admiring -the myriad stars, and the gleaming crescent floating in the heavens. -The air was beautifully warm and balmy, so much so that a man might -sleep out in the open without a covering and still not risk catching -a chill. A soft breeze fanned his cheek and brought with it the -sweet scent of the trees which grew thickly near the rancho. He -could see their tops swaying gently in the moon rays, and as he -glanced about him he could distinguish the low roof of the rancho, -the building which had been Mr. Blunt's home for many years. It was -a long, straggling affair, with timber sides, and a shingle roof, and -so many doors that Dudley felt bewildered. Some two hundred yards -from it was another building, of smaller proportions, while to the -left of that was a fenced enclosure, surrounded by huge posts and -beams. - -"The corral," explained Mr. Blunt. "That is where we rope in our -wild cattle and horses, and where the most fractious of the latter -are trained to take a saddle. You will see all that work in good -time. I notice that the doors of the house amuse you." - -They were seated in their chairs some thirty yards from the building, -and beneath a clump of trees at the foot of which was a shallow well, -where the house supply was obtained. Dudley had, indeed, noticed the -fact to which his employer referred, and waited for an explanation. - -"They are put in with a purpose," said Mr. Blunt. "When I offered to -bring you here I told you that there were certain drawbacks. Well, -Indians and an ever-threatening raid are amongst those drawbacks. -Now, supposing the Indians appeared at this moment, you and I should -run for the nearest door, which happens to be the one in general use. -We should bolt and bar it once we were in, and then our guns would -speak from the openings left for that special purpose. But our men -are still out on the rancho, and unless they were warned of the -coming of the Indians they would be slaughtered one by one, for they -are often widely separated. I should warn them. I have an old -cannon mounted on the roof, and Francia would fire it. The noise -would certainly reach the ears of the gauchos, and would tell them -that there was danger. They would collect together, gallop for the -rancho, and make a rush." - -"While you would throw open the door or doors nearest to them, and -fire on the Indians," interrupted Dudley. - -"Precisely! There might be a hundred and more of these enemies, for -they hunt in large parties, and our sole aim would be to get the -whole of our force together. The horses and the cattle we should -have to leave, and I have found by a former experience that they act -as an excellent counter attraction. The Indians raid us for our -horses and cattle, and also to kill us if possible. If they fail to -kill us, and see that to capture us they must fight, they will take -the easier course and make off with the cattle. To drive them they -have to separate a little, and that is the time for us to retaliate. -We follow, and on one occasion we succeeded in saving our beasts and -in driving the enemy away. - -"Now we'll turn in. To-morrow you take your horse as I have -directed, and don't forget; make the most of the week before you." - -He rose from his chair, stretched and yawned, and led the way to the -house. A solitary candle was spluttering in the one big room of -which the place consisted, and it showed two pallets, constructed of -wide strips of canvas nailed to long wooden trestles. Mr. Blunt -clambered on to one, drew a blanket over him, placed a revolver -beneath his pillow, and nodded good night. Dudley followed his -actions, blew out the candle, and settled himself to sleep. But for -a long while he remained awake, listening to the deep breathing of -his friend, and to the long, low whimpering of a biscacha, a species -of rodent which infests the pampas in certain parts. Then he, too, -fell asleep and continued in blissful unconsciousness till the first -faint streak of light stole into the room. - -"Time to water and groom the horses," cried Mr. Blunt, leaping from -his pallet and touching Dudley. "Come now, how is the stiffness? -What a grand morning it is! Why it makes one glad to be alive." - -Dudley wakened with a start, threw his blanket from him, and sat up, -rubbing his eyes. Then he rose suddenly and leaped to the ground, -only to give a groan, and smile somewhat lamely at his friend. - -"My word! Stiff!" he exclaimed dismally. "I can hardly move. I -thought that a good night's sleep and rest would put matters right. -I am worse than I was yesterday." - -"And will be till I take you in hand. Strip off those things, my -lad, and hop along over to the well. There is a pump there and a -tub. Have a thorough good splash, and rub yourself down till your -skin is on fire. Then I'll give you a little of my own special -embrocation. Come, hustle!" - -Mr. Blunt smiled at Dudley as he bustled him into one corner of the -room and watched him remove his clothing. Then, tossing him a rough -towel, he conducted him to the well for all the world as if he were -his jailer. Dudley hobbled across the green space which intervened, -gripped the handle of the pump, and set to work with a will. He -meant to show his friend that even if he were stiff and sore he had -still some energy. But he wondered whether he would, after all Mr. -Blunt had said, be fit to ride that day, or move away from the house. - -"My hips are so stiff and sore that I cannot bend them, while my -knees feel too weak to carry my weight," he said to himself. "And my -back, oh!" - -"Get into the tub and sit down, my lad. That's right! Makes you -gasp a little! The water comes from a spring, you see, and is -precious cold. Put your head under the spout and let it pour right -over you." - -Mr. Blunt waved to the tub, saw Dudley clamber stiffly into it and -crouch as low as possible, and then, with rapid movement of one of -his muscular arms, for his injured limb was not yet quite recovered, -sent a stream of ice-cold water gushing from the spout over Dudley's -quivering body. No wonder that he gasped! For a moment he felt as -if he could not endure it, and then he began to enjoy the sensation. -The cold water wakened him effectively. He pushed his head still -farther under the spout, and then gradually let the water pour over -his back. A minute later he was splashing himself all over and -rubbing vigorously at his limbs. - -"Makes you feel better?" demanded Mr. Blunt with a grim smile. "Ah, -thought it would! Hop out now and I'll give you a rub down. Then -you can take a run round the rancho and afterwards have the -embrocation applied. There, out you come! One has only to watch you -to see that you are more active already. I'm not at all surprised to -find you so stiff and sore, for you must remember that we have ridden -fairly hard and fast, while you had not been in a saddle for many a -long month." - -"And then for only a matter of an hour at a time," answered Dudley, -spluttering as the water ran from his face. "That beast I rode -yesterday is a beauty, and quiet enough, but he seemed to be -fretting, and kept jolting me about." - -"He is young and raw in some ways, though sedate enough," came the -answer. "You will have him again to-day, and there is nothing to -prevent your putting him to the gallop. Practise mounting quickly, -and when you get a little more accustomed to the saddle, put him at a -jump. Now, how's that?" - -It was no gentle hand which applied the towel to Dudley's shoulders, -and very soon he was in a furious heat from head to foot. The sudden -immersion, and the friction afterwards, had quickened his -circulation, and already the greater part of his stiffness was gone. -He tied the towel round his waist, and set off at a rapid pace round -the rancho. Ten minutes later the embrocation had been applied and -he was fully dressed again. - -"Now for the horses," said Mr. Blunt. "That is a duty which you must -never neglect, for it may happen that your life may depend on your -horse. Every gaucho looks after his own animals, and I do the same, -watering them at dawn, grooming and then feeding. Your beast gets to -know you thoroughly well, till he will almost understand the words -you say to him. Here we are. The animals live at this end of the -house, so as to be under our guns. There is a trough near the well, -and I generally do the grooming there, for it is out in the sun." - -Everything was new to Dudley, for the reader must remember that he -had lived for the most part in a town. He followed Mr. Blunt to the -stable, took the brush which was given him and a wisp of straw, and -then went up to his horse. The animal knew him at once and whinnied. -Dudley patted its neck, and taking the beast by a lock of its mane -led it out to the well, where he let it drink peacefully till it was -satisfied. - -"Now groom him thoroughly," said Mr. Blunt, "and afterwards give him -his feed. And just remember another point. You like to have your -breakfast in peace, I have no doubt, and so does a horse. Leave him -to enjoy it. It upsets his digestion if he is constantly interfered -with while eating, and if you would have him always fit, see that he -has his feed-times to himself, and a reasonable space afterwards -before you make use of him. There, the grooming's done, and we can -take them back." - -An hour later Dudley lifted his native saddle on to his head and went -to the stable. His horse gave another whinny as he appeared, and -moved a step towards him, standing perfectly still as he placed the -bit in its mouth and the saddle on its back. Then our hero slung his -shotgun over his shoulder, led the horse out, and sprang into the -saddle, feeling wonderfully agile and supple now. A minute later he -was galloping at full pace away over the pampas, his broad-brimmed -hat flapping in the wind, and the trimmings of his leggings trailing -out beside him. - -"Sits fairly well," exclaimed Mr. Blunt critically, as he watched his -departure. "There is a little too much daylight showing between him -and the saddle, but that is a fault which he will rectify. That lad -means to be a rider. If I make no mistake he has made up his mind to -be as good at his work as any of the gauchos." - -Dudley had, in fact, firmly determined to do his utmost to please his -master and gain the good opinion of the gauchos. After a few -minutes' fast galloping he began to feel quite at home in the saddle; -he sat lower and less of that daylight of which Mr. Blunt had -complained showed as he rushed along. He took a steady pull at his -reins, and spoke softly to his horse. - -"Steady, boy! Take it easy for a little. I want to practise that -mounting and dismounting." - -Pulling the animal up short, he slung his gun still higher, so that -it should be quite out of the way, and for an hour he practised -vaulting into his saddle, till he could reach it without putting foot -to stirrup. Then he became more ambitious, walking his horse and -endeavoring to gain his seat without stopping him. - -"Not so easy as I thought," he said to himself. "But still a thing I -must do, for it might happen that I should be chased by some of the -Indians, and every second would be of importance. Another thing I -must learn. I must manage to mount from the off side as easily as I -can from this. Yes, I remember Mr. Blunt telling me that every -gaucho could do that." - -Two hours later he felt thoroughly tired with his exertions, and, -seeing a clump of trees, rode towards it, dismounted, and slackened -the girths. - -"Time for something to eat," he thought. "I must be five miles from -the rancho now, and this afternoon I will trot farther out. If I do -twenty miles in all I shall have had a fair day, and shall have -gained some idea of the country." - -Following out this plan, he rested himself and the horse for a full -hour, and then trotted across the pampas, his beast taking him along -at a gentle amble, which is so comfortable for the rider when a great -distance has to be covered, and which can be kept up by a good horse -for two or three hours at a stretch. About four in the afternoon he -turned his face towards the rancho, and when within four miles set -his beast at a gallop. The pace increased as horse and rider entered -into the excitement of the movement, and very soon they were sweeping -over the pampas. Suddenly an object ahead attracted Dudley's -attention and he looked anxiously at it, uncertain of its nature at -that distance. But in a few seconds the object was distinctly -visible, and to his dismay he found himself bearing down upon a long, -low corral, which cut directly across his path. - -"Steady! Whoa!" he cried, sitting well back and pulling at his -reins. But his mount on this occasion was somewhat out of hand. The -sharp gallop, and the knowledge that its stable was near at hand, had -fired its blood and made it unheedful of the bit. Its neck was -stretched to its fullest extent, its teeth were closed firmly on the -bit, while its eye seemed to see only the rolling pampas, the -brown-green grass swaying in all directions. - -"Steady!" shouted Dudley again, pressing his stirrups forward and -leaning far back to put all his weight and strength into the pull. -Then, realizing that nothing would stop the mad flight of the beast, -he gathered his reins well into both hands, gripped firmly with his -knees, and steered as well as he was able for what appeared to be the -lowest portion of the long corral rails extending across his front. -To turn the horse more than a few inches either way was hopeless, for -he had already made one mighty attempt to swerve to the right and -gallop along parallel with the obstruction. - -In a flash they were within twenty feet of the rail, and only then -did the animal observe what was before him. Dudley felt it hesitate -in its stride, and, taking instant advantage of the fact, he pulled -the beast in a little, though to bring it to a halt was impossible. -Then his voice rang out again, encouraging the horse. - -"Steady, boy!" he cried. "Get yourself together. Up! Over!" - -Nobly did the gallant beast respond. Though the rail was at least -five feet in height, it gathered its legs together, steadied its -stride, and then, rising to the obstruction, flew over it like a -bird, alighting with a thud on the far side, a thud which, to an -unaccustomed rider like Dudley, almost proved disastrous. He was -jerked forward on to the animal's neck, but recovered himself with an -effort and once more gripped his reins. But still there was no -stopping that mad flight. His mount seemed to gather fresh impetus -now that it had overcome the rails, and it tore across the corral. -Its eye fixed itself on the far rail, it changed step some fifteen -paces from it, and once again, as Dudley sang out to encourage it, -the beast rose for the jump. But, alas! on this occasion the rail -was higher. Its hoofs fouled the top, and in a second horse and man -went headlong. Dudley was far away ahead, having alighted on his -back, after having turned a complete somersault, while the horse fell -on its side, rolled, and came to a halt with its feet lashing the air. - -[Illustration: "ITS HOOFS FOULED THE TOP, AND IN A SECOND HORSE AND -MAN WENT HEADLONG"] - -To say that Dudley was shaken was to express the matter mildly. The -breath was jarred out of his body, and for a minute perhaps he lay on -the ground, his head swimming, and his senses somewhat scattered, -while he gasped till his face assumed a purple hue. Then his breath -came again, and with it his dogged spirit. He sprang to his feet and -ran across to the horse, which was now lying on its side, scared and -winded by the fall. Dudley took it by the ring of its bit and -encouraged it to rise. - -"Neither of us hurt, old man," he cried joyfully, as he walked the -beast to and fro and noticed that it was not lame. "We were getting -along too well together, and you seemed to think that you had a fine -rider on your back. But we won't be beaten. We'll wait till you -have your wind again, and then we'll have another go." - -He patted the beast's neck, and then saw to the girths, which had -slipped far back. Leaving the animal to stand alone, he slipped his -gun from his shoulder and carefully examined it. - -"Not even dented! That's another bit of luck, for it is hard to -believe that it could have escaped. And, when one comes to think of -it, it is as difficult to see how we both escaped breaking our necks. -Lucky for me that I was thrown so far, for if I had struck close to -him he might have fallen on me, and then there would have been an end -to my prospects. I'll give him ten minutes more, and then we'll -tackle the thing again." - -He slipped the sling of the gun over one of the posts which held up -the rails of the corral, and sauntered up and down, inspecting the -rails somewhat grimly. There was a determined look on his sun-tanned -face, a look which told that come what might he was going to -persevere. The heavy tumble he had experienced had scared him not a -little, and had shaken him considerably. Some would have considered -it foolhardy for him to attempt the jump again, while others would -have excused a second attempt, considering the narrow escape he had -had. But Dudley was out there to conquer difficulties. He had a -task to learn, and to hesitate now, to cry off because of a tumble, -was not the way in which to overcome those difficulties. He hitched -his belt in another hole, crammed his hat well down on his head, and -walked steadily up to his horse. - -"We're going to have another go, old boy," he said, as he patted the -neck. "We'll take it steadily this time, for you want little run for -the jump. Now, up we go!" - -He himself was surprised at the ease with which he reached the -saddle. Without touching the stirrup he vaulted into his seat, and -after the practice he had had his toes fell of themselves into the -stirrups. He gathered up his reins, patted the neck again, and -walked his horse up to the rails to let it have a good look. Then he -turned about, till they were thirty paces away, and with a touch of -knee and rein he swung the beast round. There was no need to tell -the gallant animal what was wanted. Dudley felt it bound forward. -It took the bit in its teeth, gathered its feet beneath it, and -hopped over the rails as if they had been a foot in height only, -Dudley sitting well down all the time. A minute later they faced -round again, and this time, with a leap which left a foot of light -between its heels and the rail, the horse sailed over the -obstruction, animal and rider alighting together, and without a jar, -on the outside of the corral. Dudley slipped out of his saddle, -slung his gun across his shoulders, and vaulted again into the -saddle. Not till then did he observe that a horseman had ridden up. -It was Mr. Blunt, looking a splendid figure as he sat in his saddle. -There was a look of pleasure on his face, and he rode right up to -Dudley's side. - -"Hurt?" he asked curtly. "No bones broken? Then you are lucky. I -saw everything. I could have shouted as you rode at the corral, but -I knew that if I did so the beast you rode might have been startled, -and perhaps might have changed step at the jump. That would have -meant perhaps a worse fall. You were determined to do that jump, -lad?" - -"Yes, sir, I'd rather have faced twenty falls than have been beaten," -answered Dudley earnestly. - -"Then you are the sort of help I want," came the swift answer. "A -gaucho would think nothing of such a tumble, for the reason that he -has ridden since he was a child, and has been thrown so often that he -knows how to fall. In nine cases out of ten, if thrown as you were, -he would have landed on his feet instead of on his back. And he -would have taken his beast over the jump again, promptly and without -hesitation. The gaucho is like you, lad, he doesn't like to be -beaten. Now let us ride home together, while you tell me what you -have been doing and what you think of the rancho." - -They turned their faces to the dwelling, now plainly seen in the -distance, for owing to the general flatness of the country objects -were in view a long distance away. And as they rode Dudley recounted -how he had practised mounting and dismounting. - -"Good!" said Mr. Blunt. "I saw how you hopped into the saddle just -now, and I noticed some improvement. But you must do better. A -gaucho could mount his horse while the beast was cantering, and he -can lean from his saddle so as to pick a scarf from the ground while -going at a gallop. But all in time. Patience will help you to -conquer everything. Tomorrow we will go out together, and it would -be as well to bring your revolver and ammunition. We will have a -little practice." - -When a week had passed, Dudley himself was pleased with his progress. -He now sat his horse as if he felt thoroughly at home, could steer -him with certainty over the roughest country, and was not afraid of -the biggest jumps. Then, too, he had mounted another of the beasts -in the stable, a rough, ill-tempered animal, and had managed to cling -to his seat. In short, he was progressing, and Mr. Blunt, who -watched him closely, congratulated himself that he had a young fellow -with him who would quickly prove of great value. - -By then Pietro and the gauchos who had been left to bring up the -stores arrived; and the test which one of the number had proposed was -remembered. - -"I repeat, Pietro," said the ill-favored individual who had scowled -at our hero, "I say that this gringo, who clambered into his saddle -as if into a bed, will not be able to hit the pith ball of a bolas at -thirty paces. A revolver is the weapon, and if he fails, you give me -your rifle. If he flukes the shot, then I make you a present of -mine, and lucky you will be, for it is a grand weapon." - -"_Buenos_, the gun is mine," came the laughing answer, an answer -which caused the gaucho to grind his teeth. "Giono, I am a judge of -people, and I back this gringo. He is not so green as you think, and -he will hit the ball. I will add something more." - -"Then you will lose. No, Pietro, I am an honest man and will not rob -you. Let him win the rifle for you. Pah! Not green, do you say? -That is his manner. These English stamp about as if the world were -theirs and they the best on it." - -He went off to his quarters in an evil mood, casting a scowling -glance at Dudley as he passed him. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -SHOWING HIS METTLE - -There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he -stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his -native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder. For he -had every reason to be pleased with the way in which his fortunes -were progressing. He had worked hard, till every bone in his body -ached, and till his knees were chafed and raw. He had persevered -until even the exacting Mr. Blunt was favorably impressed with his -riding. - -"Few would consider him to be a gringo now," reflected his employer, -as he watched his young friend out of the tail of his eye. "He is -well set up, carries his new clothes as if he had been born in them, -and can get about as if spurs had grown on his heels as a natural -appendage. He ought to do well. The gauchos view him with favor, -except that fellow Giono. I don't like the man, and never have. -There is something mysterious about him. However, there he is, and -Dudley must go through the trial they have arranged for him, for -trial there will be as sure as I stand here. A gringo must always be -tested." - -A few minutes later a dozen of the gauchos employed on the estancia -came round the corner of the building, and strode up to our hero. -They were a rough but a good-looking and pleasant lot of men. All -were dressed in the same sort of costume as Dudley wore. They -carried revolvers at their hips, and hunting knives in their belts, -and some of them had a coil of rope, with the bolas attached, slung -over the shoulder. As they looked at the young Englishman, all save -one were bound to confess that he was a fine-looking fellow. - -"He will be one of us, surely," said Pietro, their leader, beneath -his breath. "He may be a gringo, but he is not soft; that I will -swear. Now, Giono, you can take a better look at the señor. Does -the arrangement still hold?" - -Giono, who was taller than his companions, was a raw-boned, dusky -individual, with deep-set eyes and a protruding lower jaw, which gave -him the appearance of being vindictive. He was a surly, silent -fellow, and was known by his comrades to be somewhat short-tempered. -This was an evil reputation to have amongst gauchos, a class of men -who were exceedingly polite to one another whenever possible, though -at other times they had violent and bitter quarrels. Dudley did not -know them yet, but those who worked with them could tell how these -fine horsemen of the pampas, with their strain of Spanish blood, -could be as tender as women to one another, and then would draw their -knives and engage in conflicts which too often resulted in the death -of more than one of the combatants. In short, they cultivated a -native politeness for the simple reason that ungainliness and a surly -manner led to trouble, and a man, however pugnacious, could not be -forever fighting, or hope always to be victorious. - -"Pietro is thinking tenderly of his gun," was Giono's harsh rejoinder -as he scowled at Dudley. "He wishes to make excuses for this English -pup. Good! I am willing to accept a fine of some sort. Give me a -hunting knife, Pietro, and we will cry quits. But is it not a pity? -This señor stands as if he owned the ground on which his heels rest, -and lets all the world see his revolver. If he carries one, surely -he can shoot, or else why have the weapon?" - -"_Bueno_! You will have the match," was the answer, given very -suavely, for Pietro knew the man with whom he had to deal, and he had -no wish to experience his rough temper. "Good, Giono, we will speak -to the señor. As to the rifle, it is yours if you can win it. I -have no fears of our gringo. Señor," he said, coming up to Dudley, -"Señor, we have had a little discussion amongst ourselves, and I, who -think I know a man when I see him, have boasted that you can shoot. -We hear that you have courage, for you have saved our master. Now we -wish to see whether you can use your revolver. Giono here declares -that you are a novice. He is even risking his rifle, to show that he -considers himself a better judge than I am." - -"To show that he is sure of his statement," growled the gaucho, -striding up to the two, and towering over Dudley as if he would -impress him with his superior proportions. "I said that a gringo was -always a gringo; that because he could scramble on to a saddle he was -not therefore a horseman, nor without fear of horses. As to the -revolver, why, there are men, and boys too, to be found who carry -them to gain a fine appearance. You understand? A boy feels grand -when decked up in the clothes of a gaucho." - -The man's words were uttered in a loud, coarse voice and there was -not the slightest doubt as to his unfriendly intentions. He was a -taciturn, surly fellow, governed by caprice, and apt to take sudden -and strong dislikes which often were simply the outcome of childish -jealousy. From his youngest days he had always made a point of -falling foul of men who were obviously his betters, or who were more -favored than he. Even Mr. Blunt was an eyesore to him, for was he -not a wealthy man? But his dislike there was cloaked to some extent, -for a gaucho must live, and an employer found the wages. Here, -however, there was a difference. Why should he, Giono, the biggest -and the most feared of the gauchos, knuckle down to this young -Englishman, with his smooth, beardless face, who had come undoubtedly -with the object of helping Mr. Blunt and becoming a second master? -No, there was nothing to fear in this case, and if he could terrorize -and upset the dignity of this gringo, why, all the better. - -"You understand? The butt of a big revolver, and the bigger it is -the better, is a fine thing to have sticking from one's pocket. Fine -clothes make fine birds, they say, and so they do up to a point. -That's the point we've come to. Fine togs such as you have don't -help a gringo to shoot, no more than do big spurs help him to ride." - -Dudley felt like replying to these boastful words, but he restrained -himself, and turning to Pietro said: "It is good of you to support -me, and I fear that you have been rather rash. But let me remind you -that, though you have told me what you two are to give to each other, -you have not yet let me know what you expect of me." - -"When you hear you will be sure of his rashness," burst in Giono. -"The task is this, I say that you will not hit the pith ball of a -bolas placed on a fence thirty paces away. Here is a bolas, and here -the pith ball." - -He turned to one of his companions and dragged the coil of rope from -his shoulders with rough lack of ceremony. Dudley had seen the -implement before, and did not need to look. This bolas is one of the -most useful possessions of the gauchos and of the Indians, for it is -to them what the lasso in more northern parts is to the cowboy. But -it differs somewhat in construction, for, whereas the lasso consists -of a long coil of rope with a slip noose at the end, the bolas has no -noose. One end has three tails of rope attached to it, and at the -ends of two of these is secured a heavy stone or a piece of lead or -iron. To the third is attached a lighter ball made of pith. - -"See," cried Giono, "that is the mark, a mark which I could hit with -my left hand, or when standing on my head. I say that you will not -hit it under the most favorable circumstances." - -Force of habit caused him to hang the coil over his left palm, while -he gripped the pith ball with his right hand and swung the leaden -balls about his head till they whizzed through the air. For this was -the way in which the gauchos wielded what was an instrument of great -value, and at times a dangerous weapon to their enemies. They would -gallop at headlong pace across the pampas, swing the bolas, and -launch it at a horse or cow they desired to capture, and with such -unerring aim that the balls would fly straight for the legs of the -animal, and in a moment the rope or the plaited thongs to which they -were made fast would be hopelessly twined round the limbs. - -"Perhaps the English señor will tell us that he is able to cast the -bolas," sang out Giono, mistaking Dudley's silence for weakness, and -imagining that, now that he knew the task expected of him, he was -anxious to withdraw. "Perhaps he would prefer to have another wager -laid on the throwing of the bolas." - -There was a sneer in the man's voice, and an insolent, browbeating -manner about him which made Pietro's eyes blaze, for he had taken a -fancy to Dudley, while the latter had some difficulty in restraining -his own warm temper. - -"Thank you," he answered with composure, his common sense telling him -that it was this man's aim and object to rouse him, and therefore his -own to keep unusually cool. "I would rather shoot, for I confess -that I have never used the bolas. I think I may be able to use this -big revolver which has attracted your notice. And now the task. I -have to hit the pith ball, and so have you. There will be no -difficulty for you, for you tell us that you could strike it even if -standing on your head. Afterwards we will try a shot at the pith -ball as it flies in the air. Our friend Pietro shall take the bolas -over there and cast it at the trunk of the tree nearest the well. -You and I will take post twenty paces from the well, and fire as the -ball passes." - -It was a daring thing to suggest, and the very mention of it made the -gauchos breathe deeply and mutter their astonishment. As for Giono, -he looked at Dudley as if he thought he were mad. The task was a -most difficult one, and, moreover, required a great deal of practice, -and this he had not had. Again, a man ought to be in the pink of -health and wonderfully steady to have even a chance of success; and -in his case a visit to the river port and a few days idleness had not -helped to smooth his nerves. He was a gambler, and the saloons had -seen not a little of this surly gaucho. However, the challenge was -issued by a gringo, and if he, Giono, failed, so surely would this -English boy. He could afford to be amused. He roared with laughter, -and tossed his hat into the air, while his eyes closely inspected -Dudley's gun. - -"Now," interrupted Dudley, "let us carry out the tests. As Pietro is -interested in this matter, I suggest that one of his friends acts as -umpire for him, while one may care to do the same for me. That fence -round the corral ought to suit very well for our mark." - -He had been carefully watching the faces of the men up till now, but -once the arrangements were made he turned from Giono, looked at the -corral, and, noticing the height of the rails, decided that it would -do. Then he led the way in that direction, and in a few minutes the -whole party were in position, one of the gauchos having detached a -pith ball meanwhile and placed it on the rail, while a comrade -carefully paced the distance from it. It was time for the contest to -begin, and Dudley nodded to his opponent very coolly. - -A few minutes before he had been feeling somewhat ruffled and annoyed -by the obvious hostility of Giono; but now he had regained his -composure and felt steadied. More than that, he was confident, for -he knew what the gauchos were ignorant of. He had had abundant -practice with a revolver on the voyage out, and had won unstinted -praise from Mr. Blunt; for the lad had a quick eye and a happy knack -with his hand. He was not quick at drawing his weapon; that was a -thing requiring practice, and he had had but very little since he had -donned his leggings and had worn the revolver in his hip pocket. But -he could hit a small object with unerring accuracy, and he believed -that he could strike the ball of the bolas as it flew in the air. At -any rate he had done so more than once in the past week when away on -the pampas. - -"Perhaps you would care for the first shot," he said politely. "Just -to encourage a gringo." - -"I will shoot first for that reason," came the answer. "You shall -shoot at the flying target before I make the attempt, and--and----" - -"Yes, I am listening." - -"Perhaps the señor would care to have it that three shots are allowed -in each case. It will give him a better chance. I am satisfied." - -The man's attitude was mending. He had even addressed Dudley as -señor. He was not so confident as before. He was weakening, and a -grin passed amongst the gauchos. - -"If one shot suits you, it suits me also. If you desire three, let -there be three." - -Dudley gave the gaucho no opening, and with a growl of disgust, and a -laugh which did not deceive the lookers-on, Giono decided that three -shots should be allowed at the flying target. - -"Well and good. Then shoot," exclaimed Pietro, his eyes flashing, -with excitement. - -"Come, Giono, there is the mark, and you shoot first," said the man -who had measured the distance. "Here is the line. Take your post." - -They watched eagerly and almost breathlessly as the gaucho toed the -line scratched in the earth with the rowel of a spur. For there was -something out of the ordinary in this contest. Gringos had been -tried before many a time, and failed almost without exception. But -there was something different here, something which the gauchos could -not fathom. They knew little or nothing of this gringo, but his -self-assurance impressed them. It had already made Giono feel a -little uncertain, though he tried to think that there was no danger. - -"Bah," he said, as he went to the line, "it is another of these -cocksure pups from Europe, only this one has a bigger head than the -rest! There is more swelling in it. The friendship of our employer -has puffed him out. We shall see." - -He drew his revolver, lifted it, and fired, smashing the pith ball -into a number of pieces. - -"Good! I could do that when a child," he boasted. "Shall I fire the -other shot for the señor?" - -"Thanks, no! If you will kindly stand fast where you are I will -shoot from here. It is a little farther, and perhaps more difficult." - -Another mark had been hastily placed in position, and, seeing that -all was clear, Dudley, who happened to be some ten paces behind and -to the left of Giono, drew his weapon, and in a flash the ball was -splintered, a feat which brought a shout of delight from the gauchos, -while Giono paled under his dusky mud-colored skin, and swore beneath -his breath. - -"One to us, señor!" sang out Pietro. "The gun which Giono promised -is mine, or yours, if you wish to have it. Now for the other part. -Give me a bolas, and I will take up my station. Better still, let me -have six of the coils, then I can cast them without waiting. Let all -the rest stand behind the firers. Come, comrades, time is getting -along." - -He took six of the bolas and went off with a swagger which he had not -possessed five minutes before. And a gallant fellow he looked as he -strode away, for an open kindly face was not Pietro's only -possession. He was some forty years of age, short and lithe, but for -all that powerfully built. It was said of him that where all were -experts with the bolas, and where all could ride from infancy and as -if part of the horse, this Pietro could excel them all. He knew the -life of the pampas, and he knew his fellow men. This foreman of the -hands employed on the rancho was a good friend to Mr. Blunt, the -partisan of the weaklings, and a man who loved fair play. He went to -his station with the thongs of the bolas trailing out behind him, and -with the fringes of his leggings fluttering in the breeze. Dudley -and the others sauntered over towards the well, the men looking -askance at Giono, while Dudley kept a cautious eye upon him. - -"An ugly-looking beggar," he said to himself, "and boasts too much to -like being beaten. I'll wager he's considering whether he shall not -shoot me instead of the ball. Very well, my fine gentleman, I'll -take rather more than good care to keep you in full view and well in -front. Fellows have been shot in the back before now, and accidents -will happen." - -He watched the man as he fingered his revolver, and slipped his own -into his pocket; but he was careful to keep the group of gauchos -between him and Giono. - -"He is angry," one of them whispered cautiously. "Giono is never -beaten, or rather no man ever lives who defeats him. Better to let -him win, señor. He is a bad enemy. He has killed many men." - -"But he won't hurt me if I can help it," answered Dudley doggedly. -"We'll see about this killing. But thanks, my friend, for your -warning." - -By now Pietro was in position, and could be seen with the bundle of -bolas at his feet and one swishing in the air over his head. He was -an expert thrower, and knew that he could cast the long plaited thong -with such skill as to make certain of striking the tree beside the -well. The leaden balls swinging in the air would fly direct, while -the lighter one would drag behind. To attempt to strike it with a -single bullet seemed madness, and yet it was not an impossible feat -to a man with a quick eye and ready hand and one who knew his weapon. -The man who had knack and steadiness might succeed, for the cast was -a long one, and by the time the bolas reached a point opposite the -group it would have lost a considerable amount of its momentum. Then -it would pass by a little more than twenty feet away, making a -correct aim less difficult than at first seemed possible. Still, -when all was said in favor of the task, it was difficult enough, and -raised doubts in the minds of both competitors. However, a faint -heart would serve but badly, and Dudley entered upon this part of the -contest with the same coolness and calm self-possession which had -already roused the ire and jealousy of his opponent. - -"My turn first, I think," he said easily. "Giono, will you have -Pietro cast as a trial, so that we may judge this distance, or will -you have me shoot at the first cast?" - -"The latter. I had no trial before, let us have the same treatment -now. Hit the mark if you can, I will stand here and give you three -shots. When you have failed, I will show you how the thing is done." - -Dudley nodded his thanks. "Now, Pietro," he shouted, "cast!" - -He stood watching the gaucho closely as he swung the bolas over his -head, and slowly drawing his revolver, put it at full cock. It was -the weapon which the passengers aboard the ship on the outward voyage -had presented to him, and for the moment he nursed the barrel on his -left forearm. It was a handy little weapon, throwing a moderately -heavy bullet and using a very moderate charge, so that the "kick" was -not very pronounced. Thanks to the amount of practice which he had -had, Dudley had learnt to counteract what jar there was, and there -was not the slightest doubt that he had become a first-rate shot. - -"Ready, señor?" shouted Pietro. - -Dudley nodded as he watched the bolas. The leaden balls made a dark -and continuous circle about the head of the gaucho, while the hum -even could be heard. Then of a sudden the circle disappeared, and -the leaden balls, with their long serpent of hide, came shooting out -towards the well. The sun, standing moderately high in the heavens -behind, shone on the white pith ball, making it a splendid mark. In -two seconds it had covered half the distance between the thrower and -the tree, but still Dudley nursed the barrel of his weapon, while the -gauchos kept their eyes fixed on the pith ball. Another second and -the pith flew opposite Dudley, its pace already retarded. Giono, who -watched him like a cat, saw the young Englishman lift his weapon like -a flash, and, without pausing to look along the sights, pull the -trigger firmly. He gave a howl of delight, a howl which set the -echoes ringing and brought Mr. Blunt to the door of the house. For -it seemed that the shot had missed. They heard its scream as it -buzzed through the air, and they still saw the pith ball. But all -but Giono had noted a curious fact. A chip of white had started from -the ball, and for an instant only the course of the ball had been -deflected; then it flew on as before for some few yards, when it -burst asunder and dropped in small pieces to the ground, leaving its -own particular thong to go on without it. - -It was Dudley's turn to shout, his and those who supported him, and -it might be truly said that all the gauchos present, save Giono -alone, were in his favor. He swept his hat from his head, pocketed -his weapon, and turned to his opponent, while the air rang with the -shouts of the gauchos. - -"Your shot, señor," he said. "Three are allowed. I have made mine, -and have struck the object. Attempt the same yourself." - -He was beaten. Giono knew well that the young Englishman had the -better of the argument, and at the thought his sallow face went red -with anger. He strode to the front, shouted to Pietro to make ready, -and swept his weapon from his pocket, where he had placed it while -Dudley fired. Then some idea seemed to strike him. He turned upon -the group with a snarl, a snarl which quieted their shouts, and -strode back towards Dudley with a lowering look on his face. - -"You say one shot is enough for you," he growled. "It would be, if -you were honest. But we all know that Pietro is your firm friend. -What is easier than for him to have broken the ball? He crushed it -with his hand, and it was that which caused the pith to break -asunder. It is an arrangement between you. You are attempting to -rob me!" - -The man was impossible. He was one of those pugnacious individuals -who must always quarrel. In addition, unknown to Dudley, he was one -of the browbeating kind, accustomed to have his own way whatever -happened. He was defeated hopelessly, he told himself, and there was -only one course to pursue. He must accuse his opponent of cheating -and turn his weapon on him, a common enough occurrence in those wild -and lawless parts. - -"Yes, it was arranged," he shouted. "You and Pietro agreed to cheat." - -The man's finger played with his trigger, he scowled round at the -gauchos, hesitated a moment, and then deliberately lifted his weapon; -but he never got it to Dudley's head. - -"You will please to lower your arm," suddenly commanded a stern -voice, and, swinging round, Dudley found Mr. Blunt some five paces -away, his revolver covering the gaucho. "Drop it, man; drop it -instantly, if you don't desire to have a hole through your head. -Good! You are a scoundrel, and I have known it for some time. Why I -have allowed you to stay I cannot imagine. You are a ruffian, I -repeat, and if I shot you down all would thank me. Go, take your -horse and ride. If you are found within the bounds of the rancho -when the sun sets I will hang you without hesitation. And listen! -Let this little affair teach you a lesson. A lad is sometimes -smarter than a ruffian." - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -OUT ON THE RANCHO - -Giono was thoroughly beaten on his own ground, and cringed as Mr. -Blunt still directed his revolver at him. The gaucho was by no means -wanting in courage, for he had inherited that as a gift natural to -all these wild men of the pampas. But he could not face that muzzle, -nor the smiles and nudges of his comrades. He dropped his own weapon -with an oath, scowled at Dudley, and turned from the group. They saw -him swing away towards the back of the house, and presently he -appeared again mounted on a beautiful animal, which he reined back -with iron fingers till he was out of range of the pistol. Then he -gave his temper full license. - -"Listen, you, my late employer," he roared, shaking a quivering fist -at Mr. Blunt. "Listen, you, I say. You shall regret your action. I -will make you call the day an evil one when you brought that English -cub with you, and I give you warning. Giono does not knuckle down to -men such as you are. I will shoot you and the pup you have engaged -when the first chance comes." - -He shook his fist again, scowling at Mr. Blunt and Dudley, then he -dug the huge rowels of his cruel spurs into the flanks of his beast, -swung him round with a powerful wrench of the arm, and went off at a -mad gallop, the heels of the poor animal kicking dust and earth far -up behind it. - -"I expected every word," said Mr. Blunt quietly. "I could have told -beforehand what that gentleman was about to say. Threats do no -damage, Dudley, but with a ruffian such as he is they put one on -one's guard. My men, you will break into threes, take your arms, and -follow that late comrade of yours till you have seen him off the -rancho. After to-day the man who first catches sight of him on the -place has my authority to shoot him instantly." - -He waved his hand to the men and watched as they ran to the stable, -and very soon they were streaming away in threes, each little party -separating and galloping in the wake of Giono. - -"He will not rest till he has put miles between himself and our -friends," said Mr. Blunt when they were gone. "We shall see no more -of him, I hope; but don't forget his warning, my lad. This is a -rough country, we are out of reach of police and soldiers, and a -ruffian has to be put down by those who are disposed to live a decent -life. If you ever see him, do as I have commanded the men. Don't -hesitate, for if you do you will have no second chance. He will see -well to that. - -"Now we will make a round of the rancho. It is some time since I saw -the cattle, and it is always well for an owner to inspect the work of -his men. Get Francia to put up some food for us, bring your gun and -your rifle, and don't forget a blanket and a poncho." - -They went to the house to make their preparations, and within a -little while the two were cantering away, a saddle bag well filled -with food slung to each saddle, a canvas sack overflowing with water -to balance it on the far side, and behind the cantle a mound composed -of a thick blanket and the inevitable poncho. Dudley had by now -ridden all over the rancho, and had obtained some insight into the -work the gauchos performed. He had also received the impression that -Mr. Blunt must be a prosperous farmer or grazier, for none of the -land was tilled, and numerous herds of cattle pointed to his wealth. - -"There are some fifteen thousand beasts," was the answer to his -enquiry on that point, "and for six weeks now the gauchos have been -busy branding the calves. Of course we make no attempt to keep stray -animals from making out of the rancho, for that would be a hopeless -task. Certain men are always stationed on the borders, and if they -see a herd on the point of leaving they turn them back. The single -ones, and occasionally a score or more of beasts, wander at night, -when they have been disturbed by some unusual noise, and they, of -course, are lost. Perhaps they stray back again, or others come from -the neighboring rancho. In any case such a loss is nothing. There -is always a small exchange of beasts going on at the borders." - -"But supposing branded animals stray?" asked Dudley. "What happens -to them?" - -"That depends on the neighbors who find them," was the answer. "Due -west of us there is merely open pampas, with no living owner, and -there I keep a very particular watch, for Indians hold the country. -Elsewhere branded beasts which wander are driven back when it is -convenient, while my gauchos do the same with neighbors' animals. In -the end we are all satisfied, and of course the knowledge that beasts -will stray makes us extra careful about the branding. I am making -for the far western corner of the rancho, where there is a big herd -surrounded by gauchos, and where branding is now going on as fast as -possible. You will see something to open your eyes." - -The sight which Dudley saw when late that evening they arrived on the -western border of the rancho was indeed a novel and most interesting -one. There were some fifty gauchos in all, widely separated, and -broken up into twos. Of these groups of two, one man was always -mounted, while at the hour at which they arrived the gaucho off duty -for the time had strayed from his comrade to those nearest at hand, -and had now squatted over a fire of thistle tops, smoking and eating. - -"That is how the herd is watched," explained Mr. Blunt. "The men -must have rest, for night and day the watch must be kept. So two of -them take turn and turn about, and when one is off duty getting a -rest and food, or a sleep, his horse is enjoying the same privileges. -We will rest here, and I will show you how to bivouac for the night. -Hop off your mount, and strip saddle and bridle from it. That's the -way. Now take the rope attached to the halter, and hobble its fore -legs as I have already shown you how to do." - -Dudley slid from his saddle in a manner which showed that he was used -to the work, and in a very few seconds had stripped the beast of all -its gear save the head stall, the rope attached to which was used for -hobbling. Then he gave the horse a vigorous smack on the flank, and -sent it away to graze and rest till morning. - -"Now put your saddle up on the cantle. So! That's the way. It will -not fall over easily, and you will see that the pads which protect -the horse's back from chafing are well exposed, and have every chance -to dry, for in this climate they are nearly always moist after a -ride. Now your poncho goes into the hollow between the pads and -flaps, your head finds it a wonderfully comfortable pillow, while the -blanket over all makes things snug and warm for the night." - -To show him how it was done, Mr. Blunt placed his own saddle in -position, and threw himself down on the ground, drawing his blanket -about him, and placing his head on the poncho between the flaps of -the saddle. - -"Your saddle keeps the wind away on a breezy night," he explained, -"and is close at hand in case you happen to want it. If it rains, as -is not often the case, you hang the blanket over the cantle, and -there you are, under a tent which will keep you fairly dry. Now, -Dudley, skip along and gather some thistle tops. There is little -wood in these parts, and so one has to find a substitute. Look at -the men. I rather fancy Pietro and his comrades have been talking." - -That, in fact, was the case, and as the two were seen cantering up -towards the herd of cattle and their guards, quite a number of the -men made their way forward to meet them. They nodded to their -master, and looked on critically as our herb slipped from his saddle. - -"As if he'd done it before," said one, a big fellow with long black -hair and a melancholy way about him. "Fresh and young, comrades, and -new to the pampas. You can see he does not mind being told how -things are done. What was the story Pietro was telling?" - -A comrade repeated it, and at once the gaucho strode up to the young -Englishman as he was gathering thistle tops. When Dudley glanced up, -there was the gaucho, still with the same melancholy air, his head -hanging forward, and one huge brown palm stretched in front. He -shook it, and, interpreting the signal, Dudley stepped up, gripped -the strong fingers, and shook them with vigor. - -"We're friends, I see," he said quietly, for he seemed to feel at -once that the big gaucho wished to be pleasant. "It's kind of you to -come." - -"I'm foreman out here, and I thought I'd like to show you that all -are not like Giono. Señor, you are welcome! All my comrades are -glad to see you. I bear a message from them. They ask you to repeat -the shot you made this morning." - -"I'll try," was the ready answer. "When it is light enough -to-morrow, I'll do my best to please you." - -They nodded to one another, and our hero returned to his employer -with a bundle of thistle tops under his arm. In a few seconds the -flames were shooting up, and in a little while the two were seated by -them, each with a ramrod in his hand, and a fine steak of deer flesh -on the far end. It was all so new to Dudley, and he found this -open-air life most fascinating. He could see now why Mr. Blunt loved -it, why he declared that he was free out on the pampas, and why a man -could be a man when living such a life. - -"Even the food we cook out here is sweeter to me," exclaimed Mr. -Blunt, as they chatted after their meal. "I would not change the -dinner we prepare for the daintiest repast to be had in London or in -Paris. As to the sleeping accommodation, well, you yourself will -appreciate the difference when once we get back to the house. Here -one breathes pure air, the invigorating breath of the pampas. A -house stifles me at first. I feel as if the ceiling were falling on -to me." - -Half an hour later they turned in, and Dudley found that his -unaccustomed bed was more than comfortable. On Mr. Blunt's advice he -kicked a hollow in the ground to accommodate his hips, and on -stretching himself out, and pulling the blanket over him, he found -that he had a couch at which the most fastidious could not have -grumbled. On either side of his head were the flaps of his saddle, -but up above there was nothing to shut him in, and for a while he -stared up at the brilliant stars, while he listened to the strange -sounds of the pampas. Now and again there was a low call from one -watching gaucho to another, and then perhaps the deep lowing of -cattle. Sometimes the earth trembled for a few seconds with the -stamping of a hundred feet, and then all was silent, save for the -chirrup of the crickets. He fell into a deep sleep, and only stirred -when the sun shone in his eyes in the early morning. Mr. Blunt was -already afoot, tending to the kettle steaming over the fire, while at -various points, around the enormous herd of beasts, groups of -gauchos, still swathed in their blankets, squatted over the fires and -discussed their breakfasts. As for the cattle, they seemed to be in -a restless mood, and kept their guards galloping to and fro, cracking -their long whips and shouting. Indeed, less than ten minutes later, -as Dudley and his friend were eating their meal, the noise from the -herd became deafening. Every animal seemed to be bellowing, there -was much movement in the far corner of the group, and then of a -sudden the animals broke away. Men shouted, whips snapped like -pistols, and in a trice, as if the word had been passed through the -heaving ranks, some two thousand bullocks, heifers, and calves were -charging down upon the two who crouched over the fire. The sight -brought Mr. Blunt and Dudley to their feet promptly. - -"They have broken away!" exclaimed the former quickly. "They do -sometimes, and give a great deal of trouble, besides being a positive -danger. Stay where you are, my lad. The horses are too far for us -to reach them, and it is useless to run." - -They stood watching the herd anxiously, hoping that the gauchos, all -of whom had rushed to their horses, would be able to check the -beasts. The men threw themselves on the flank of the herd with -vigor, and sent their stinging lashes trailing over the beasts, while -they shouted and shrieked so as to frighten them and get them to move -in the opposite direction. But they might almost as well have hoped -to move a mountain. The mass of beasts had taken a sudden and -unaccountable fright, and bore down upon Dudley and Mr. Blunt with -all their force and speed. - -"Get your gun and load quickly," said Mr. Blunt. "And get the flap -of your revolver pocket open. Those beasts must be stopped, or they -will gallop over us and trample us to death. Don't attempt to run, -Dudley. You would certainly be caught. Our only chance is to back -up the efforts of the gauchos, and stand firm. Let the brutes have a -couple of charges full in their faces when they get into range. That -will give you time to load again and repeat the dose." - -There was little time for talking, for already the maddened herd was -almost within range of the shotgun. For a few seconds Dudley had -contemplated flight, and made ready to follow his employer should he -run. But seeing that he proposed to stand fast, he loaded his gun, -opened the flap of his holster, and faced the herd. It was a -terrifying spectacle, and it wanted no experience to tell him that if -the beasts were not stopped they would stamp everything in their path -flat with the ground. He felt his pulses throbbing wildly, while a -bead of perspiration collected in the furrow on his forehead and -trickled down his cheek. The time for action had arrived. He lifted -his gun, aimed at the far right of the herd, and pressed the two -triggers, one after the other, sending a hail of pellets into the -faces of the animals. But he might have fired peas for all the -effect the shots had. A few beasts on the far flank swerved away -into the open, and came to a halt, as if wondering what all the -commotion was about. But the remainder galloped madly on, as if they -saw the two solitary figures standing before them and had made up -their minds to annihilate them. - -"Again!" said Mr. Blunt quietly. "Give them another charge, lad." - -Crash! Bang! This time the range was much closer, and though the -shot did not separate so much, they struck the animals on the right -with far greater force. One, a massive beast, received a portion of -one charge full in the face, and it may have happened that one of the -pellets reached the brain by way of the eye. In any case the -ponderous animal fell on his horns, crumpled up, and rolled over and -over, while two near at hand rose for a moment into the air and -bellowed with pain. A second later a score of the beasts had poured -over the prostrate animal, had tripped, recovered their feet, and -tripped again. Fifty almost were down, and their startled bellows -seemed to scare the remainder of the herd. They swept in one dense -mass to the left, three of the gauchos galloping for their lives in -front of them, while those on the right flank came thundering over -the pampas, kicking their heels within six feet of Dudley and his -employer. - -"Phew! That was the nearest shave I have ever had," exclaimed Mr. -Blunt, lifting his hat and wiping the perspiration from his brow. "I -thought it was all up with us, and was preparing to make a desperate -leap on to the back of the nearest beast, for I have known one man to -escape in that way. Then your lucky shot set the matter right. Lad, -you did well again. How did you feel? Inclined to bolt?" - -"Never in a bigger funk in all my life, sir," came the candid answer, -and indeed Dudley was shaking with excitement. "I expected to be -smashed into a jelly, and can't believe now that they have run past -us. The life of a gaucho is not all honey after all. I suppose many -are killed in this way?" - -"Scores have been trampled to death, and many are gored by bulls, or -have their backs broken by a bucking horse. Then they are very apt -to quarrel, and the Spanish blood they have leads them to let their -tempers loose and draw their knives. Yes, the gaucho seldom lives to -an old age. I like him. He is honest, hearty, and a good worker, -and he has pluck. But let us enquire as to damages. There will be -little branding to-day, Dudley. It will be three hours before the -herd is rounded up again." - -They returned to their camp, still congratulating themselves on their -fortunate escape. It took but a few minutes to fetch their horses, -which had not been stampeded like many of the others, and in a little -while they were off, cantering away across the pampas. - -"We will go on into the Indian country," said Mr. Blunt. "There are -often herds of wild horses there, and if we are lucky enough to spy -one, we will bring a party out to round them up. We don't do a great -deal of breeding on the rancho; Indian raids make that such a -profitless game. We rely on the wild animals always roaming the -pampas." - -It was a glorious day, with a bright sun and a mild breeze. The -scent of wild grasses was in the air, while one huge vista of pampas -swept before the eye, with a few clumps of trees away in the -distance, for Dudley was in the middle of one of those vast plains of -South America famed to this day as grazing lands for cattle, and then -the home of herds of wild beasts, including cattle, horses, and deer -of many descriptions. In addition there were the Indians, an -ever-present danger to the settler. It was not long before the two -horsemen arrived at one of the collections of trees, and, skirting -this, they mounted a rise in the land till they were near the top. - -"Our look-out station," said Mr. Blunt, sliding from his saddle and -leaving the beast to graze. "If I have sighted one herd of horses -from here I have sighted a dozen. Creep to the top and look over. -One does not require to be so careful nor so cunning as if one were -dealing with Indians. They would spot a head instantly, and then----" - -"We should have a crowd down upon us," burst in Dudley. "I'll -practise going carefully, as if there were real danger." - -He too slid to the ground, and soon the two were close to the top. -They went on their faces, and, crouching close to the ground, slowly -made their way to the extreme summit. Then, as if by common impulse, -they ducked, looked at each other, and gave low whistles of surprise. -Lucky it was for them, too, that they had had the caution to advance -so warily, for otherwise they would have been in a precarious -situation. They were out in search of horses, and as they topped the -rise their eyes fell upon what they sought--a fine collection of some -twenty beasts, with flowing manes, and with such freedom of action as -they ran that Dudley was enchanted. But there was something else -besides. Not thirty paces away sat four men who were half-naked. -Their backs were turned to the top of the hill, and they were -watching the horses attentively. The beasts were trotting towards -them, but when Dudley looked again they had halted, and stood with -heads in air, their ears pricked up, listening attentively, and now -and again breaking into a startled trot. Mr. Blunt saw something -more, for he took Dudley by the sleeve and pulled the fringe of his -coat. Then he pointed, and, following the direction, the young -Englishman beside him saw a number of specks in the distance. They -were mounted men, slowly stealing up behind the horses. - -"Come away. Slip back again and mount." - -Mr. Blunt hardly whispered the words, and promptly crawled away, -worming his long, lanky figure towards his horse. Dudley followed -suit, rose to his feet, and vaulted into the saddle. - -"Walk!" whispered his employer. "Hush! Not a sound." - -They took their horses at a slow pace for some three hundred yards, -casting a glance behind them every few seconds. Then Mr. Blunt -turned to Dudley. - -"Are you ready for a fast ride?" he asked shortly. - -Our hero shook his reins. "Certainly, sir!" he said. "Where to?" - -"Back to the gauchos. Gallop all you can, and bring them back. I -don't want to attack the Indians, but I want to let them see that I -have plenty of men. And more than that, they stole some two hundred -horses from me eight months ago. I must have that herd down below, -and so retaliate. It does not do to let the Indian have it all his -own way. Off you go!" - -"Alone, sir?" - -"Yes, alone." - -"And you, sir?" - -"Alone, I said," came the curt answer. - -Dudley swung his animal round, touched him ever so gently with the -rowel of his spur, and went off at a gallop. He would have liked to -ask what his employer was going to do, and felt anxious about him and -disinclined to leave him alone. But Mr. Blunt said what he meant. -He was a man of few words, as a rule, and those few were very much to -the point. Dudley had to be contented with that, and with an -occasional glance behind him till the solitary figure was lost to -sight. - -"Wanted to argue!" exclaimed Mr. Blunt, when he had gone, a little -smile on his lips. "That chap's a sticker. There are many men whom -I have met who would have bolted from those cattle, and would have -been rolled and stamped till they were as flat as sheets. It's -trying work to stand and see a whole mass of heads and feet charging -down, and if he had bolted I could have forgiven him. That chap's a -sticker, I say, and he's come out here with the same idea as -youngsters of his age and of our race have, wherever they be. They -know it's right to stick to a friend, whatever the danger. That's -why he doesn't fancy leaving me behind. As if I were a chicken!" - -He smiled grimly as he swung his long rifle round to the front, -opened the breech, and popped in a cartridge. This man knew that the -time for shooting had not yet arrived, and he was not going to be -hurried. He sat like a sentinel, the butt of his weapon at his hip, -and neither man nor horse moved. And there Dudley and the thirty -gauchos he brought back with him found their employer. - -"Good!" said Mr. Blunt. "That number will scare the Indians. Now, -boys," he went on, "I don't want to make bad blood, which means that -I don't want to kill any of these fellows. All we want is to scare -them, and to drive them off. They must have the horses rounded up by -now, and we will take them over. The lesson will be a useful one. -Perhaps if we are successful, they will leave us alone for a time." - -At a signal from him a group of the gauchos held in their horses, -while the remainder filed off in two lines, passing to left and to -right of the wood. Then, having allowed them to gain some distance, -Mr. Blunt walked his horse up to the ridge and clambered to the top. -Ten minutes later there was a shout as one of the Indians below saw -the group of gauchos, a shout which was taken up in all directions. -For the Indians, some forty in number, had now come quite close to -the hillock, and had drawn in the circle which they had thrown about -the herd of horses. Indeed, in a little while they would have been -at work with their bolas, or would have been driving the animals back -to their own country. To be disturbed at such a moment must have -been galling in the extreme. Cries and shouts of rage proceeded from -each man, and as Dudley came to the top of the ridge, and was fully -exposed, a shot rang out some fifty feet away. The bullet shaved the -tip of his chin, drawing a thin line of blood, punched a neat little -piece out of his left ear, and one of larger size out of the brim of -his hat. Then, having done its worst, it flew on into space, buzzing -and screeching as it went, for it was of native manufacture, all -angled and rough. - -"You might have been shaving," laughed Mr. Blunt as Dudley felt his -chin with the tips of his fingers, and then touched his ear. "A miss -is as good as a mile, my lad, and a shot like that will make you as -steady under fire on future occasions as the oldest soldier. Hurt?" - -"Not a bit, sir," came the ready answer. "My word, that fellow must -have spotted me as I came over the top!" - -"You may be sure of that. He could have fired at one of the gauchos. -An Indian likes better to kill a white man. But look at them -running. They have seen the other parties." - -The approach had been well timed, in fact, for hardly had the party -appeared on the crest when the others rode from either side of the -wood. The Indians looked at first as if they would resist the -approach of the strangers, but, seeing their numbers, and having a -huge dislike to warfare in the open, they put spurs to their animals, -and, even as Dudley wiped the blood from his ear and chin, they went -galloping for their lives across the pampas. Mr. Blunt at once waved -his hat over his head, and instantly the two parties below set their -horses at a fast gallop, and before the herd of frightened animals -below could disperse they had surrounded them. - -"Better than I had hoped for," exclaimed Mr. Blunt. "We will drive -the beasts back to the corral, and then you shall see some fun. It -looks cruel, and in fact it is cruel, to break in these wild animals; -but we must have horses. To-morrow we shall turn out the stallions -and mares, and select the best of the young horses." - -An hour later the whole party was returning, the men spread widely -across the pampas, and enclosing in their circle the twenty or more -wild animals which the Indians had rounded up. As dusk was falling -they rode over the boundary line of the rancho, and with dexterous -use of their whips, and by dint of much shouting and spurring, -managed to drive their catch into a huge corral, several of which had -been built at different parts of the estate. - -"They will be secure there for the night, and we can leave them," -said Mr. Blunt. "Let us get our supper and turn in. I don't think -we need fear another charge from the cattle, but if you are looking -for excitement to-morrow I fancy I can supply it. Come along, lad! -We have had a grand day, one which you will not forget in a hurry, -for you have smelled powder, and tasted the bullet of one of our -Indians." - -He laughed heartily as he slid to the ground, while Dudley carried -the fingers of one hand to his chin and ear. The wounds smarted a -little, but nothing more, and very soon he had forgotten them as he -bustled about the fire. In addition, his thoughts were distracted by -the recollection of the horses which they had captured, and by his -friend's promise of excitement on the morrow. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -AN INDIAN INVASION - -The sun was shining brightly on the following morning as Dudley -stamped out the remains of the fire, for the gauchos and Mr. Blunt -had impressed upon him the need of great care in that respect. - -"The grass flares at once," said Pietro, when warning him, "and I -have seen a gringo set the pampas on fire and have to ride for his -life. Then scores of gauchos have had to gather, and for days -perhaps the battle has gone on between them and the flames. The -señor must cut the grass in a circle always before lighting the -thistle tops, or he must choose a rocky place. Then he must always -stamp out the embers, or the wind may carry a small portion, or -animals kick the hot ashes into the grass." - -Dudley carefully followed out the directions given him, and then -sauntered off to the corral, carrying his huge spurs now with -absolute ease and comfort, and being, in fact, quite unconscious of -them. He found the gauchos collecting in preparation for the day's -work, and as Mr. Blunt had not yet arrived, these men of the pampas -seized the opportunity of seeing for themselves what the newcomer -could do. - -"There are no wagers this time, señor," said Pietro, standing beside -Dudley with an unconscious air of pride about him, as if it were he -who had introduced the latest gringo, and was responsible for his -actions and for his ability. "The men have asked me how long you -have been in the country, and they can scarcely believe that you are -such a shot. I have told them, and so have the comrades who looked -on, how you beat Giono. But no; they cannot credit the statements." - -"And I cannot blame them," came the answer. "Of course it is funny -to find a gringo able to shoot. But then you can let the gauchos -know that Mr. Blunt gave me heaps of practice on the voyage out. I -suppose, too, that there are some fellows who get hold of a knack -quickly. For instance, some men can ride almost at once, while -others can never manage a horse." - -"That may be true in your country, señor, but not in this. Here we -gauchos ride from infancy. There was a time, no doubt, before the -Spaniards came, and introduced horses, when the Indian knew nothing -about riding. But nowadays we never walk far. Horses are cheap. An -active man who can wield a bolas can always borrow a mount and go out -on the pampas to make a catch. Then he has merely to break in the -animal. I said that we ride from infancy. I remember that the very -first time I ever mounted a horse was when I was tiny, and far too -small to reach his back in the ordinary way. Fortunately he was a -quiet beast, for as he cropped the grass in front of my father's hut -I caught him by the tail, and with the help of a brother, as small as -myself, I swarmed up on to his quarters. That, señor, was my first -attempt. As to the knack of shooting, every gaucho can shoot, but it -is not all, or even many who have an eye and a hand such as yours. -The gift is a fine one; I wish I had it. But the señor will do what -the men wish?" - -"Certainly, I'll do my best. That shot at the flying pith ball was -more or less of a fluke, but I might manage it again. At any rate -I'll try." - -He pulled his revolver from his pocket as the men gathered round, and -then stood nursing the barrel just as he had done on the previous -occasion. Pietro himself threw the bolas as before, and to Dudley's -delight, and, to be honest, to his amazement, he had the good fortune -to strike the pith ball at the first shot and shatter it into a -hundred or more pieces. - -"_Bueno_! That is shooting, comrades," exclaimed the big, -melancholy-looking man who had shaken hands with him on the previous -day. "The señor can shoot, and by all accounts he is brave and can -swim. Who knows, perhaps he can ride also. Whatever more he can do -he is certainly the best gringo we have ever seen. Let the señor -take the advice of an old gaucho. Let him learn to draw his weapon -swiftly. Therein lies the secret of safety and of victory when -dealing with the rough men of the pampas. Now we shall hope to show -him how we ride." - -He went into the corral with a dozen of his comrades, Pietro being -amongst them, while Mr. Blunt came up to Dudley's side. Together -they watched as the gauchos inspected the captive horses, their -trained eyes picking out the younger and more suitable animals. As -for the poor beasts themselves, they were excessively wild, and now -that so many strange figures surrounded them they were almost mad -with terror, all save one grand animal, the father of the herd. He -stood with head lifted and ears pricked up, his eyes blazing; and -presently, as the gauchos approached, he gave a snort of rage and -dashed at them. - -"Watch and you will see some quick work and some fun," said Mr. -Blunt. "If that wild fellow were to catch any of the men it would go -hard with them. Look at them running." - -The gauchos took to their heels as the big horse made for them, and, -separating as well as possible, they ran with all their speed to the -rail of the corral. The majority reached it without incident, but it -happened that one of them, as he ran, tripped over the trailing thong -of his bolas, and went down with a crash. He was up in another -second, but by then the beast was close at hand, and as Dudley -watched he saw it spin round on its fore legs, as if it were a top, -and lash out furiously with its heels. The aim was so true, and the -manoeuvre so quickly carried out that it was wonderful that the -gaucho was not struck. But he had not worked on the pampas for -nothing, and no doubt he had seen many a similar adventure. Seeing -that he could not escape, he watched the pursuing horse, and as the -maddened brute twisted on its fore legs he threw himself on his face, -the heels swishing a foot over his back. Then he rolled over and -over, sprang to his feet, and rushed on again, reaching the rail of -the corral as the horse came within striking distance again. - -"He will be killed," shouted Dudley in his excitement. "The brute -will kick the life out of him." - -"He will escape. Redos knows the game," was Mr. Blunt's calm -rejoinder. "A new hand would attempt to clamber over; our friend -knows that that would be fatal." - -The gaucho was, in fact, well able to take care of himself. As the -horse twisted on its feet again he threw himself on the ground, and, -repeating his previous tactics, rolled under the rail into safety, -while the heels swished overhead and struck the rail with a clatter -to be heard all over the corral. - -"They will eject that fellow as a first precaution," said Mr. Blunt. -"There goes the first bolas. Pietro is not the lad to make a mess of -such a matter." - -The gaucho to whom he had referred had taken his station on the -second rail of the corral, some little way to the left of the angry -horse, and could be seen swinging the two leaden balls of his bolas, -waiting for a favorable opportunity to cast. It came in a few -seconds. The beast still watched the man who had escaped, and, as he -moved towards Pietro, trotted along beside the corral fence, snorting -loudly, and eyeing him in no friendly manner. Once, in fact, he -dashed open-mouthed in his direction, only to be brought up short by -the stout fence. That was Pietro's opportunity, and he seized upon -it. The balls swished overhead and suddenly darted forward. Dudley -saw them separate, and in a moment they had twined round the neck and -fore legs of the horse, wrapping the plaited thongs so thoroughly -that escape was impossible. But the beast could still use its legs, -and, startled by the blow of the balls, and by the thongs, it twisted -round and made off at a furious pace, plunging as it went. But it -was not to go far. Pietro had used his bolas before, and seeing that -his aim was good, he had at once taken a turn of the thong round one -of the posts, and a strong grip of the slack end, so that when the -horse came to the full extent of the line he could bring him up -short, and yet not so suddenly as to break the leather. Crash! The -big beast staggered, rose high in the air, and then fell backwards, -lashing with all four legs. It was up again in an incredibly short -space of time, and then the same process was repeated. It darted -away, was brought up with a jerk, and stood glaring about it, choking -with the pressure of the thongs. - -"He has made his fight, and is done for," said Mr. Blunt. "The men -will slip a leather noose into his mouth, and will so hobble his legs -with their bolas that he will be as helpless as a foal. Then they -will drag him out of the corral. It is absolutely necessary to do -that, for, as you see, he considers himself the guardian of the herd. -He would kick any other horse to pieces that dared come near his -flock out in the open, and here he would kill many of the gauchos if -he were not banished. Look! there goes another bolas. He will be -wound up so completely soon that he will have no more room for -astonishment." - -Dudley could not help but admire the dexterity and the courage of the -gauchos. They tackled the big horse with method, and before very -long had it completely at their command. Then, choking still, and -half-stifled by a noose the grip of which could be increased at any -instant, they dragged it to the opening of the corral by means of the -thong passed over its chin, and with a quick movement set it free. A -whip cracked behind it, and in an instant the noble brute was -careering away. Half a dozen mares that were too old to be of any -use were quickly disposed of, the gauchos mounting their horses and -cutting them out from the herd. And then the real work of the day -commenced. - -"There are some who would let the beasts run wild in the corrals for -a month or so," said Mr. Blunt. "But there is no object in delaying, -for they will be as wild and unruly then as they are now. You will -see how we deal with them. In a month they will be useful animals, -and as rideable as any we possess. But the task of breaking them in -is no light one. Men are specially selected for it, and receive so -much pay per animal; for it is dangerous work, and many gauchos are -killed at it." - -Dudley could believe that when half an hour had passed, and he had -had an opportunity of seeing what actually occurred. - -"The first thing is to get a halter on their heads, and a leather bit -in their mouths, señor," said Pietro, coming to his side. "Then the -saddle must be fitted. That troubles them more perhaps than does the -bit. Look, now, at the young horse our friend is selecting." - -The big gaucho who had shown his friendliness was striding about in -the corral, and eyeing the wild young horses there with the utmost -care. Presently he selected a fine beast, well grown, and possessing -a large amount of bone and muscle. It was as wild almost as the -first had been, but not quite so courageous, for it kept its distance -from these men. However, it was gradually driven into a corner, and -then, finding its tormentors closing in, it swung round and galloped -past them. - -"A fine shot, señor! Our comrade can use the bolas," sang out -Pietro, as the tall gaucho swung his implement and flung it at the -heels of the horse. In a moment the animal was down, its legs -entwined by the thongs, and as it lay there helplessly a halter was -placed over its head, and then a bit of strong but soft leather was -placed in its mouth. - -"It would never do to use an iron one, señor," explained Pietro. -"That would be asking too much of a horse. See how he frets now. -But he has worse to bear, and in a moment there will be a struggle." - -Having safely placed the bit in position, the big gaucho knotted the -reins on the neck of the beast so that they would be ready to hand -when the moment came to mount. Then he beckoned to a comrade, who -ran up with the saddle. At the same moment three of the gauchos took -firm hold of the halter by means of the rope attached to it and -pulled till the animal was lying almost on its heels. - -"On with the saddle," sang out their leader, and at the word the -flaps were dropped on either side. - -"Now let go the heels." - -The thongs which encircled its legs were carefully unwound, leaving -the horse free to rise. But it lay for a few seconds, bewildered at -such unaccustomed treatment. Then, feeling more freedom in its legs, -it rose to its feet with a jerk, and stood looking about, uncertain -how to act or where to run. The big gaucho took instant advantage of -the delay. Speaking in a soothing voice to the animal, he stepped -silently to its side, stretched under the belly, and made the girths -fast. Then he placed a hand on the neck, unknotted the reins, and -leaped into the saddle with an agile bound. The spell under which -the poor beast labored was broken instantly. It staggered under the -weight for one brief second, and then rose on its hind legs till it -seemed that it would topple over. - -"The real fight begins now," said Pietro, who still stood beside -Dudley. "Our friend has work before him, for that is a strong young -horse, which will not give in without a struggle. Ah, he has his -stirrups, and his feet are well home! Our comrade is one of the best -of horse breakers." - -Dudley watched the scene which followed with breathless interest, for -he had never seen its like. He had heard of cowboys and their feats -of horsemanship, but had never conceived it possible that any man -could keep in his saddle as on this occasion. For the horse was -maddened. The load on his back terrified it, and for a quarter of an -hour it raged up and down the corral, rising on its heels, bucking, -and giving such enormous leaps that had it attempted the same close -to the rails it would have easily cleared them. And all the while -the gaucho clung like a leech to it, while the cruel rowels of his -spurs struck the heaving flanks incessantly, till the blood trickled -from many a wound. - -[Illustration: "ALL THE WHILE THE GAUCHO CLUNG LIKE A LEECH TO IT"] - -"It is no time for soft measures, Dudley," said Mr. Blunt. "It is -kinder to be harsh now, for once and all, than constantly to repeat -the cruelty. That horse is getting beaten. In a couple of hours he -will be docile. How would you care to try your horsemanship?" - -"Not at all," was the candid answer. "I should be sprawling after -the first half-minute. But you said he would be beaten in two hours. -Will he be able to go on plunging and bucking for such a time?" - -"He might, but our object is to wind him. The gaucho will take him -for a gallop and give him his head." - -The time had apparently come for this portion of the breaking-in, and -a few moments later there was a warning shout from the struggling -gaucho, a number of the men lined up between the other horses and the -exit, and then the animal he rode was steered out of the corral. -Once outside there was nothing to limit its pace, and it set off at a -furious gallop, lashed into frenzy by the whip which the gaucho now -used, and smarting under the cruel rowels of the spurs. - -"He will go miles," said Mr. Blunt, "and when he returns he will be -like a naughty schoolboy who has come to school for the first time -after being given free play at home. He will have met with his first -master, and will be aching after his very first lesson. In a week he -will be a likely horse, and in a month he will whinny a welcome to -the man who now treats him so harshly. Let us go along the corral -and watch the other men." - -Nearly a dozen other horses were meanwhile being roped in, and for -the next two hours Dudley watched the same process repeated, but with -variations. Sometimes a horse had less spirit, and was beaten very -early, even consented to trot round the corral without attempting to -get rid of its rider. But in every case, whatever the fight shown, -they were taken out of the corral for a long burst over the pampas. -Soon the first one was seen returning, limping over the grass, and -looking as if it could barely drag one leg after the other. Indeed -the poor brute had been ridden to a finish, and could scarcely reach -the corral. It was taken to one corner, the bit slipped from its -mouth and the saddle from its back. At once it lay down on the -ground, disdaining the fresh grass placed beside it. - -"He is hopelessly beaten and as tired as a dog," said Mr. Blunt. "He -will lie there for twenty-four hours perhaps, and will not touch a -morsel of feed, nor any water. Then he will recover, and our big -friend will be there to talk kindly to him, to encourage him, and to -comfort him with a bundle of sweet grass. Now, what do you think of -our methods of taming horses?" - -"They are utterly unlike any I had ever conceived. They look very -cruel at first sight, but I can see that in the end it is better and -easier for the horse to be beaten outright, than to be subdued by a -series of attempts each one of which must terrify him. It will be a -long time before I shall be able to ride like these gauchos." - -"You are right there, lad, for one cannot pick up, even at your young -age, a thing with which these fine fellows may be said to grow up. -They are born riders, and they have need to be, for a bucking wild -horse is no easy beast to sit on. Now we will return to the cattle -and watch the branding. These are all things that I want you to -learn to do or to be able to criticize, for in a little while you -will be the agent in charge during my absence." - -Two months later Dudley had become quite an old hand on the rancho, -and was by no means a gringo any longer. Indeed, thanks to his -encounter with Giono, he had come to the gauchos employed by Mr. -Blunt with a strong and telling introduction, an introduction which -appealed to these wild men of the pampas far better than wealth would -have done. They admired a man who could shoot and who had courage. -They liked to see a youngster conquer difficulties, and they had -watched Dudley as he gained no mean mastership over horses. Then -they had seen him under fire, and had noted with what indifference he -treated his wound. - -"He is a gringo who meets with our approval, and whom we can obey," -said Pietro one night as the gauchos were collected round the fire. -"He has no airs and graces. He is glad to meet each one of us, to -shake hands, and to chat. He is different from some of the stuck-up -fools who come our way on occasion." - -Thanks to the friendship of the gauchos, and to his own energy, our -hero very soon became of the greatest value to his employer, till at -length he was appointed his overseer, and had complete management of -the rancho. - -"It gives you a good deal of responsibility, which is a thing which -every lad ought to be able to take, and it also lets the men see that -I have confidence in you," said Mr. Blunt. "That encourages them to -look to you as a leader and master, and I'm glad indeed to find such -a friendly feeling amongst you all." - -One day Dudley had ridden to the far western boundary of the rancho, -and hearing the news from one of the gauchos that horses had been -seen far out on the pampas, he pressed on till he came to the hill -from the summit of which he and his employer had once before seen a -herd. None were in sight, though he imagined he saw some dark specks -in the distance, which might be horses. - -"We are in want of some," he said to himself, "and so I think I had -better go ahead. If those are horses I shall know within two hours, -and then could be back with the gauchos in the morning." - -He shook his reins and trotted on for some miles, when, judging that -he was now near enough to the objects he had seen in the distance, he -made for a slight rise and clambered to the summit. He had hardly -reached it when he was startled by a loud report, by a puff of smoke -a few yards to his right, and at the same instant by a curious -movement in his hat. It jerked back suddenly, spun round, and then -settled on his head again in the most extraordinary and disconcerting -manner. There was a shout, and then from right and left a chorus of -frantic yells. Figures sprang up from the hollows and the long -grass, while twenty horsemen galloped from behind a small clump of -trees. - -"Indians! A hundred of them perhaps!" was Dudley's startled -exclamation. "I shall have to run for my life." - -He took to his heels at once, and raced down the hillock towards his -horse, the gun which he carried over his shoulders pounding against -his back. He had fifty yards to cover, and long before he had gained -his mount the Indian who had fired at him had reached the top of the -hillock and had thrown himself on one knee. There came the ring of -an iron ramrod, for this savage was armed with an old-fashioned -muzzle-loader. Then followed the bellow of the piece, while a ball -hummed over the pampas, missed our hero by little more than an inch, -and, flying on, struck his horse just in front of the saddle, causing -him to rear up, give a startled neigh, and then trot on a few paces. - -"Whoa! Steady, horse!" shouted Dudley, knowing that his life -depended on his mount. "Steady, boy! I'm coming." - -It was a fortunate thing for him that he had made a point of -accustoming his mount to his voice, for otherwise the frightened -animal would have bolted. As it was it stood irresolute, listening -to Dudley's words, its ears pricked up and its eyes cast back at the -figures now pouring over the summit. There were at least forty -dismounted Indians, and a rattling volley came from their -muzzle-loaders as the fugitive reached the side of his horse, the -bullets whizzing overhead and on either side, but missing man and -animal by good chance. Dudley vaulted into his saddle promptly, -clutched at his reins, and, turning his face towards the distant -rancho, set spurs to the flanks of his horse. And then commenced a -flight which was all too exciting for the young fellow who was being -chased. - -Bang! Bang! Another volley rattled from the direction of the -hillock, a scattered, irregular volley, broken by shouts and wild -yells. Then there was a dull thud and the horse sprang into the air -and then galloped on at an even greater pace, for it had been stung -by a bullet which had struck it on the quarter. However, the range -was rather far for a muzzle-loader, and it happened that the wound -was only a superficial one. - -"Steady, boy!" cried Dudley, taking good hold of his reins and -looking round. "We have a long gallop before us and we had better be -careful. Steady! Their horsemen are not in sight." - -Pulling gently at the mouth of the excited steed he managed to steady -its pace a little, till it was bounding at a good gallop over the -pampas. It was a fine beast, and capable of a long race, but not at -full speed all the way. Dudley knew that, and like the jockey who -has a good horse beneath him, and other fine ones to beat, he -determined to husband the strength of his mount, so as to keep it -comfortably ahead of the pursuers as far as the rancho. - -A minute later a mob of shrieking Indians burst over the top of the -hillock and came galloping down, their arms waving in the air, guns -flourishing overhead, and their bodies bent low in the saddle. They -were a set of cut-throats in appearance, and bellowed and shrieked in -a manner which gave some indication of their ferocity. But no one -who watched their mad pursuit could have failed to admire them to -some extent. The men were part and parcel of their horses. They -rode on a strip of leather for the most part, and had no stirrups. -Their knees lay close to their horses and they sat as if they were -glued to their places. There was an easy swing and poise about them, -too, which told that they trusted entirely to grip and to balance, -and were thus able to do without saddle and stirrups. - -"A nasty-looking lot of beggars," thought Dudley, "and well mounted, -as they always are. It will be a close race, and very soon I shall -have to press my horse. The fellows haven't saddles either. I wish -I hadn't. It gives them an advantage, for I carry extra weight." - -That set him thinking, for the native saddle used by the gauchos was -a somewhat heavy and cumbersome affair, and, to one used to an -English hunting saddle, it was by no means too comfortable. He -turned again to watch the Indians, noticing that already quite a -number had commenced to fall to the rear. Then he bent towards his -horse's neck and slid his left hand down to the buckle which secured -the girth. - -"It could be done," he said to himself. "I could unbuckle the strap -and so loosen the saddle. The thing is, could I manage to pass it -backwards without toppling over?" - -He thought again, and, as if to practise the movement slipped his -toes from the stirrups, for he had often ridden without the latter -and knew that he would not tumble. A little consideration showed him -that the feat he contemplated was possible, and knowing well that if -he intended to relieve his horse of some weight it would be wiser to -do so now, at the very commencement of the struggle, he promptly slid -his hand down to the buckle again and in a minute had it loosened. -He gripped the neck of his mount with the hand which held the reins, -and, leaning forward, lifted himself, while with the free hand he -pushed the saddle backwards. Once he swerved dangerously, for the -task was no easy one, and at the sight a howl came from the pursuing -mob. - -"Shout away!" cried Dudley, as he regained his balance. "You've not -got me yet, and if I can prevent you, well, I will." - -One more effort and the saddle was behind him. A touch, and it, -together with his poncho and blanket and a couple of heavy saddle -bags, overbalanced and fell to the ground with a crash. His gallant -beast was now on more even terms with those ridden by the Indians, -and as he felt the relief he tossed his head and pulled at the bit. - -"Steady, lad!" shouted his rider again. "We're keeping just nicely -ahead, and there is no occasion to do more. They are getting broken -up a little. Some are being left behind." - -His knees were close in to his horse's side now, and he bent low, -till his figure hardly caught the wind. Every two or three seconds -he turned his head to watch the Indians, and noted that the worst -mounted were already being left in the rear, while those who were -foremost had not gained an inch. They were two hundred yards behind, -galloping hard; but though he looked carefully he could not see a -whip used, nor did they seem to wear spurs. - -"Wily foxes," he said, "they are doing the same thing! They are -carefully holding in their animals, probably thinking that they will -tire mine out. That will suit me well, for the rancho is not more -than six miles away now, and we can keep this pace up for a longer -distance." - -He began to feel more confident, and though the shouts and screams of -the pursuers made him feel inclined to use his spurs, and force the -pace, he went on as before, checking his speed by theirs, -disregarding the reports of the weapons which they occasionally -snapped at him, and always maintaining the same distance in advance. -But he was by no means out of the woods, as he was shortly to learn. -The Indians had seen him free his horse of the saddle, and had -increased their angry shouts. But when three miles had been covered, -the dozen or more who still remained had settled down to a grim -silence. They could not afford to waste their breath, nor could they -reload their weapons at that pace. Instead, they began to let their -horses out little by little, and very soon they were using their -whips, sending their animals along at breakneck pace. - -"Time for me to push along," thought Dudley. "In a few minutes I -ought to be in the rancho and among friends, so I have only to keep -going for a little while. Come along, boy!" - -This time the rowels of his spurs touched the flanks, and his beast -increased its pace, and for a time held the distance it had gained at -the first. One by one the pursuing Indians dropped off, the pace -being too hot for their horses, till three only were left. But these -were beautifully mounted, and, now that the crisis of the affair had -arrived, they showed that there was still a little pace to be -squeezed out of their horses. Their whips cracked, their bony heels -went to the flanks, and their beasts steadily drew up to the quarry. -Then one of the three disengaged himself from his comrades inch by -inch till he was some yards ahead, and was rapidly overhauling -Dudley. The man carried a revolver in one hand, and instead of a -whip used his cruel spurs continuously. Dudley glanced round at him, -gave an exclamation, and then slipped his hand into the pocket -carried on the hip of his riding leggings. For this was not an -Indian. The man was dressed as a gaucho, and it wanted only a second -glance at that evil face, at those deep-set and scowling eyes, to -tell him that it was Giono, the man who had warned him to beware, and -who had left the rancho breathing vengeance against the two white men -who resided there. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -DUDLEY LEADS THE GAUCHOS - -"He is better mounted than I am, and there is bound to be a fight," -thought Dudley as the minutes flew by and Giono gained rapidly upon -him, leaving his two comrades some yards in rear. "I had better keep -a careful watch on his revolver, and if he lifts it I will fire." - -They were close to the edge of the rancho now, and half a mile ahead -the rails of the corral could be seen. But though our hero strained -his eyes in that direction there was not a single horseman. Nothing -but the corral broke the flat expanse of waving pampas. He was -alone, and must look to himself for safety. - -Crack! As he stared ahead there came the sharp report of a pistol, -and on glancing behind he saw a wreath of smoke blowing away from the -muzzle of Giono's revolver. - -"Missed," thought Dudley, with no little satisfaction. "The range is -too long as yet, and even if he hits me the bullet will do no great -harm. But he is pulling up fast. I wonder whether, if I hit him, -the others will give up the chase?" - -Crack! Once again the report came to his ear, and instinctively he -crouched lower as a bullet hissed over his head. He was within range -then, and must act if he was to escape at all. Keeping low on the -back of his horse, with his weight thrown as much forward as -possible, he glanced round again, his head twisted to the right. -Giono was standing in his stirrups, his eye blazing with wrath, and -fierce determination written on every line of his ugly face. He -lifted the weapon again, took very careful aim, and was on the point -of pressing the trigger when Dudley gripped the butt of his revolver -and sent a bullet flying behind. And here again his happy knack of -shooting, the quick eye and ready hand which he possessed, stood him -in good stead. Giono gave a shout, clapped the hand which held the -reins to his chest, and instantly crumpled up on the bow of his -saddle. He swayed from side to side, and made frantic efforts to -cling to his seat. His spurs almost met beneath his horse's belly, -while the rowels dug into the poor beast, making it gallop even -harder. Then this powerful gaucho, hardened to exposure and fatigue, -recovered his strength and threw off the sudden weakness caused by -his wound. There was a thin streak of blood at the corner of his -mouth as he sat up with a jerk, and the scowl on his face had -increased in intensity. Without lifting his weapon he pointed the -muzzle at the lad in front of him and pulled the trigger. - -Dudley learned some ten minutes later what happened after that -momentous shot, for within two seconds he was unconscious. The -bullet had missed him entirely, but flying low had passed between the -heels of his horse, and had struck behind the knee of one of the fore -legs, bringing the gallant beast toppling on to its head. - -"When the señor is ready it will be as well to move on," he suddenly -heard a voice say. "The señor is better. He has fallen heavily, and -the ground was hard. Pepito, bring your water sack, and we will -sprinkle his face and so refresh him." - -The words sounded as if they had been spoken yards and yards away. -They came to Dudley's ears in a strangely blurred fashion, failing to -rouse him, and leaving him to puzzle over their meaning. - -"The ground was hard, and he had fallen heavily. Who had fallen -heavily?" he wondered. "They are joking. Perhaps they want to -disturb me. But I won't move. I'm very comfortable, thank you!" - -He mumbled the last words in a low voice, and in tones which showed -that he was feeling irritable. In fact, his mind was more or less of -a blank. He had no idea who was speaking, and he cared less. He -felt drowsy, and objected to being disturbed. - -"Bueno, Pepito! The water comes in handy, and our young master will -thank us for it. Lift his head so. Now I will dash some of the -contents of this sack in his face." - -On the pampas it was the custom to carry water in a canvas bag, just -as it is in Egypt, and in Africa, and in many another country. -Pepito, a young gaucho who had been sent for his store, stood by -grinning with anxiety, for he had taken a fancy to this young English -fellow, while Pietro knelt and lifted Dudley's head. Then the tall -gaucho with the melancholy air deliberately dashed some of the water -in the face of the half-unconscious youth. - -"Here, I say!" gasped Dudley, frantically struggling to sit up, and -opening his eyes wide. "Look here! No more of that! If you try the -game again I'll----" - -He stopped short, his mouth wide open, and his eyes fixed on Pietro's -honest face. Up to that very instant his wits had been sadly -wandering, and he had imagined himself at school again. This was, so -he thought, a game being played at his expense, and---- - -"Why, it's Pietro, and that's Pepito! What are you grinning for?" - -The young gaucho turned his head away in confusion, while Pietro -lifted his patient higher. - -"Yes, we are here, señor," he said. "Is the señor right in his mind -now? Is his head sore? For the fall was a heavy one, and, as I -said, the ground is hard." - -"Was his head sore?" Dudley sat up suddenly and gazed about him in -bewilderment, for he had still no recollection of what had happened a -few minutes before. He ran his hands over his head, and then turned -to speak again to Pepito, only to feel acute pain in his neck, and -give a sudden cry. - -"That is queer. My neck feels as if it had been almost broken, or as -if some fellow had collared me and given it a firm and friendly -screw. Hallo!" - -This time his eyes fell on something which could not but remind him -of his exciting chase, for a dozen yards away his own horse stood -shaking after its frantic exertions, and blowing harder than Dudley -had ever seen one blow before. The gallant beast was white with -foam, and its flanks moved in and out spasmodically. Its head hung -low, and generally its appearance was one of absolute exhaustion. - -"He helped to save the señor's life," said Pietro. "He galloped -well. But the señor was wise to shake off the saddle. Had he not -done so this Giono would have certainly overhauled him earlier, and -then----" - -"And then? Yes?" asked Dudley. - -"The señor would not be here. The señor would be dead. As it is, -Giono is dead. He has a dozen bullets in him in addition to the one -which you sent. Come, the señor is better." - -Dudley was. In a flash he remembered his flight and all that had -happened up to the report which had come from Giono's revolver. -After that all was a blank. - -"Tell me what happened," he asked, struggling to his feet and -standing there with Pietro and another gaucho supporting him. "No, -leave me alone please, for I can stand. I am just a little giddy, -that's all, and, phew! my neck!" - -"It is a wonder it was not broken, señor," came the answer. "You -shot out from the back of your horse and flew some yards before you -landed. I made sure that you were killed, for you fell on your head -and rolled over. Another man's neck would have been broken." - -"Then I am saved for some other fate," laughed Dudley, beginning to -feel better. "Many thanks, my friends, for helping me, and for the -water. Now, what happened exactly?" - -He beckoned to Pepito, took a deep draught from the sack, and then -turned to Pietro again. - -"Giono made a better shot the last time he ever pulled trigger than -he would have done had he dared to fire at the flying pith ball of -the bolas, señor. You had hit him hard in the chest, and he was -bleeding. But, as I said, he had luck. His ball hit your beast -behind the knee, and brought him down like a stone, just as you or I -would fall if someone struck us in a similar position. You fell, as -I have described, and in a moment Giono was pulling up beside you, -while his two comrades were galloping to join him. They were a fine -mark, and we dropped them at our first volley." - -"You dropped them? How?" - -Dudley was amazed, for he had seen none of his friends. - -"We might have remained on our horses, señor. But then we knew that -you could reach the rancho before the enemy, and even if you could -not we could hardly help you, for you were within a mile before our -lookout gave the alarm. There is a small hollow on our left, and -there we placed our horses on their sides, and lay in wait for the -Indians, guessing that you would pass near at hand. It was as well -for the señor that we were there, for Giono would have committed -murder." - -"Then I have to thank you for a good deal more than the water," said -Dudley gratefully. "I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. -But were you not saying something about moving?" - -"_Bueno_, señor! These demons are collecting away yonder, and our -men say that there are three or four hundred. It would be as well to -retire on the house shortly, for all are mounted, and could easily -surround us. When the señor is himself again we will ride on." - -"I am ready now," came the answer. "First tell me how many gauchos -there are here." - -"Forty, señor, and men have ridden off to tell the others to retire -on the house." - -"One moment, Pietro! They have orders to go, and I see them -mounting; they have not left yet." - -It was the tall gaucho who interposed, and at once Dudley took -advantage of his information. - -"Send them here immediately," he commanded, and in a voice which the -gauchos were fully accustomed to, for quite unconsciously this young -Englishman had acquired an air of authority since Mr. Blunt had given -him the management. "Now, I want to ask a question. What becomes of -our master's cattle if we retire?" - -"They remain," came the unhesitating answer. "The Indians will -probably attack us to-morrow, and if they are unsuccessful they will -drive the cattle away. We shall call the gauchos from other ranches -and shall follow, and no doubt we shall manage to capture many of the -stolen beasts. There is never much fighting, señor, for the Indians -move quickly, and give up all the cattle that lag. Our attention is -thus engaged more with the beasts than with the enemy." - -"While in any case our master is a heavy loser." - -"That is so, señor," admitted Pietro ruefully; "but who can help it?" - -"We can," came the prompt answer. "We can try to, at any rate. More -than that, I fancy we might even read these fellows a lesson which -will last them for many a year to come. Send those messengers to me." - -Pietro and his comrades stared at Dudley as if they could not believe -their ears. They had spent their lives on the pampas, and now and -again it had happened that they or friends of theirs had been -surrounded by the Indians, who were always hostile to the gauchos. -Then they had had to fight, and the gauchos had plenty of pluck and -determination, and knew how to make the most of a desperate -situation. But their experience had also taught them that the -Indians always raided in large numbers, which it would be foolish to -oppose. These raids were very often, and in fact in nearly every -case, sudden and unexpected, and retaliation was never very possible. -Sometimes they had managed to round up some of the Indians as they -drove the rancho cattle away, and then there had been slaughter. But -as a general rule gauchos were pounced upon and killed barbarously, -while those who escaped hung on the tail of the retreating Indians -and did their best to recover some of the cattle, which were always -the object of these raids. It was therefore somewhat startling to -hear such a proposition. - -"As the señor cares to order," said Pietro readily. "But how? We -are willing to fight if he will show us how." - -"Then listen to this. The beasts are six miles from this, at least -they were early this morning when I rode out." - -"They are there now, señor. The gauchos surround them." - -"Then we will retire at once till we are well beyond the herd. There -are three thousand of them, and the Indians will hardly dare to drive -more. We will gallop away now, and by the time we reach our comrades -it will be dusk." - -"That is true, señor," came the cautious admission. "It will be -dusk, but not so dark that the Indians cannot follow and surround the -cattle. Three thousand is as many as they dare attempt to drive." - -"Then tell me this, Pietro. Will they return towards their own -country to-night, supposing they do not attack the house?" - -"Surely not, señor. It would be madness to attempt to control so -many beasts in the darkness, they would stampede. They will camp for -the night, and I myself believe that, now that Giono is killed, they -will not attempt an attack on the farm. They will surround the -cattle, just as we do, and those who are not on guard will build a -fire, kill a beast, and gorge themselves with the meat. I know them -well; they are gluttons to a man." - -"Then they will play into our hands. Listen to this. Send a -messenger to each of our herds, and give them orders to call away all -the gauchos who can be spared. They are to meet us five miles beyond -the place for which we are now about to make. They are to ride -silently, and are not to smoke or to attract the attention of the -Indians. You follow me? Then let us ride." - -The buzzing noise in his head was forgotten. He no longer felt the -crick in his neck which had troubled him so much a few minutes -before. He was all keenness to be moving, to perfect his scheme, and -to do something to save his employer. For Dudley had often -considered these Indian raids, and time and again had asked why it -was that resistance was not better organized, and why the gauchos and -their leaders did not combine rapidly, having some prearranged -signal, and fall upon the enemy before they had retired too far. -That was the only time when a blow could be struck, for to follow the -Indians into their own country was out of the question, unless a -large force were taken, and then there would be the added -difficulties of transport of ammunition and food, besides the chance -of failing to find water, always a danger in this pampas country, -where streams were not abundant. Here was an opportunity to strike a -blow, for, thanks to the late arrival of the Indians, it was already -getting dusk, and would be dark before they could reach the nearest -herd of cattle. - -"You are sure that they will bivouac when they come up with the -beasts?" he asked anxiously. - -"I am certain, señor. Indians do not love moving about at night in -any case, and it is more than likely that they have ridden far -to-day. Their raids are usually successful because they arrive when -least expected. They ride fast from their own country in the hope of -falling upon the settlements before news of their coming can be sent. -If they meet a stray gaucho they ride him down and shoot him lest he -should carry the alarm. That is why the señor was chased, and why -Giono was so intent on killing him. Their beasts have had a big -day's work, and they will rest them as soon as possible, knowing that -they have a bigger day before them on the morrow." - -"Then we will mount and ride," said Dudley. "Pietro, take command of -twenty of the gauchos, and stay here till the main body of the enemy -appear, then retire before they can come within range. Let them -think that you are terrified, and when once you get going, gallop -back beyond the herd as fast as you can. By then it will be dark." - -"Surely it will, señor; the sun is sinking fast, and twilight is -never long with us. We wait, and retire when the time comes. We -shall find you and our comrades beyond?" - -"We shall be six miles or rather less on the far side of the herd. -Be careful, and good luck to you and your friends." - -There was a calm businesslike air about the young gringo which -impressed the gauchos, the air of modest self-assurance which had -impressed them when this lad had joined them for the first time and -had won his match against Giono. Already they had become accustomed -to receiving orders from him, and, more than that, he had always been -so tactful in giving them, was so friendly with them one and all, and -so ready to accept advice from these honest and experienced men of -the pampas, that there was not one who did not swear by him. - -"He is a youth, it is true, comrades," Pietro had said on one -occasion when the new manager was under discussion, "he was a gringo -only a little while ago, but, I ask, is there here a man who could -draw on him and hope to be alive within a minute?" - -"There is not one," came the emphatic answer from a comrade. "And -yet, I declare that that is wrong after all; for our young master, it -is true, would have his muzzle at our heads before we could wink, but -would not fire. He knows that we like him." - -There was a chorus of assent, and then and there all declared that -the arrangement made by Mr. Blunt was excellent, and met with their -approval. They thought a lot of the new manager. He was not -conceited, not full of foolish airs and graces, and by no means soft. -He didn't know everything, and was not ashamed to acknowledge his -inexperience. But when it came to giving orders, he was the one, and -already they understood that he would have no unnecessary -interference. Mr. Blunt was away just at this time, and so it was -natural that they should turn to Dudley. - -Pietro selected his men at once, and each one stood beside his horse, -his gun over his shoulder, while the gaucho told them in his own -tongue and in the plainest language what was expected of them. - -"This is not to be the usual raid, comrades," he said. "The Indians -are not to have it all their own way as formerly, for our young -master will attack them. We are to wait here till they come up in -force, and then we are to retire in haste as if we feared them. Not -a shot is to be fired. Watch me, and when I shout, turn your horses -and gallop back past the herd. It will be getting dark by then, and -as soon as we are out of sight we will draw in together and trot on -to the meeting place." - -It was pretty to watch the way in which this party of gauchos swung -themselves into their native saddles. Pietro gave the word, and in -less than half a minute the men were in their seats, their toes home -in the stirrups, and their weapons in their hands. And there they -sat like statues, the fringes of their leggings blowing out on either -side, their broad-brimmed hats pulled down well, so that they should -not lose them, and a general air of expectancy on every face. For -this was so different from their action on former occasions. No man -likes to be hounded off his own land, and see the possessions of -which he has had charge filched from beneath his very nose. Such a -course of conduct is demoralizing. The thought that they were to -make a struggle, not for their own lives so much as for their -master's property, heartened these fine gauchos, and they cast many -an admiring glance at their young commander. Dudley limped across -the grass, for he was stiff and sore after such a tumble, and -clambered into the saddle. He was to ride a spare horse, while his -own fine beast was led, for it was still too exhausted for active -work, and could hardly have supported a man's weight. Then he waved -his arm, and at the signal the remainder of the gauchos fell in -beside him and walked their horses back towards the spot where the -herd was being guarded. Four miles beyond, a dozen galloping figures -were seen dimly in the distance, and a little later these gauchos, -besides some five or six more, had joined their force, increasing its -numbers till they were quite respectable. - -"There is firing behind, señor," said Pepito, suddenly, for he was -riding beside Dudley. "Listen again! There and there! The Indians -are within range, perhaps, or they are driving our friends before -them. It is too dark to see far. If it were early morning we could -detect their figures." - -Dudley reined in his horse and sat upright, listening. - -"We will halt here for a while in case they are in difficulties," -said he promptly; "then we can all ride on together." - -A quarter of an hour passed before a group of horsemen was seen -approaching through the dusk. It was Pietro and his party, and there -was a broad grin of satisfaction on every face. The two parties fell -in together and trotted on over the swelling pampas till they had -passed the herd for which the Indians were making and had gone four -miles beyond. - -"We had fun, señor," said Pietro, as he wiped the perspiration from -his face with his horny fingers and lifted his hat to cool his head. -"They came towards us in one big mass, with a few scouts out on their -flanks. There were between three and four hundred, perhaps, and by -the manner in which they rode it was clear that they imagined that -there was nothing to fear. They sent a hundred towards us, and long -before these men were in range they began to fire their weapons. We -waited till the bullets dropped pretty close, and then we bolted as -if we were scared for our lives. Is that as the señor wished?" - -"You have done splendidly, Pietro, and must have increased their -assurance. They will perhaps be less careful to-night." - -"They will set a good watch on the cattle, of that the señor may be -sure," was Pietro's answer; "but the main body will camp, and do as I -said before. Meat is not too plentiful with these savages, and when -they are encamped so close to a herd which belongs to someone else, -and when a dozen more or less of the beasts make no difference, they -will slaughter enough to satisfy the hunger of a thousand men and -will gorge themselves. They do not fear attack. Why should they, -when there are such numbers of them?" - -"That is just the little point which is going to help us, Pietro," -smiled Dudley. "It is the general who despises his adversaries and -who fails to set a careful watch who is caught napping on occasion. -It happens that a spiritless enemy take a sudden and unaccountable -change. Something gives them pluck, though that is never wanting -with the gauchos, or someone suggests another course of action which -seems worth trying; then your careless and cocksure general has a -fall--he and his men get a hiding." - -Pietro laughed heartily, and a number of the men near at hand joined -in. For all could understand English, and speak a little, while -Pietro, Pepito, and a few others could converse fluently. They -gathered the meaning of their young leader instantly, and liked the -plain way in which he put this last matter. - -"The señor is right, as he has been before," laughed Pietro. "If he -had not been here we should have had no warning, some of our number -would have been killed, and then we should have galloped for the -house, leaving the cattle to themselves. Now we see that there is -another course. The señor can rely on us, for we would do much to -break up these enemies, and check them thoroughly. Does the señor -know what happens should a gaucho be captured?" - -"Something unpleasant, I imagine," smiled Dudley. - -"I will not say. But it is bad. They are brutes, and treat -prisoners with frightful cruelty. But we are four miles from the -herd. What shall we do next?" - -"Eat and smoke, if you can get into some little hollow," was the -prompt answer. "When are these fellows asleep?" - -"By midnight they will be gorged and drowsy. By two in the morning -they will be almost helpless. Their sense of hearing will be dulled, -and for the most part they will be fast asleep." - -"And the dawn breaks at about four-thirty. Good!" exclaimed Dudley. -"Well, what about the meal?" - -"The señor thinks of the comfort of his men always. There is a dip -in the pampas beyond the next rise; there we can light fires and eat -and rest." - -The wide sweeping pampas ran on in a long succession of rolls, which -were hardly distinguishable to those riding over them. But they were -there for all that, and often enough a party of horsemen situated in -one depression would be out of sight of a second in a depression -running parallel. Dudley and his men took advantage of this fact, -and very soon had hobbled their horses, had slipped the bits behind -the chins, so that the animals might graze, and had gathered bundles -of thistles. These were set fire to beneath an awning of blankets, -for otherwise the glare might have been seen in the sky. Cuts of -juicy meat were skewered on sticks or on ramrods, and very soon there -was a fizzle about the flames, and an odor which made a hungry man -sniff and grow fidgety. Pipes were taken from saddle bags, filled -with rank weed which would try the stomach even of an army recruit, -and carefully lit at the embers. - -It was a peaceful and very contented body of men who sat about that -shrouded fire and discussed their evening meal, a party of good -fellows who were strangely elated, and who cast glances of the utmost -confidence at their white leader. The hours flew by, and as midnight -came, many of the gauchos had already fallen asleep. - -"We will let them rest till all is ready," said Dudley in a whisper. -"Now, Pietro, I am going over there to the cattle to see what the -Indians are doing. If things are fairly quiet we will make a -movement. Send Pepito with me, and bring along the main party in -half an hour's time, taking care to halt them a good mile from the -enemy." - -The gaucho's mouth opened wide with astonishment. He stared at the -set face before him, half-lit by the flare from the fire, and then -altered his mind. He was about to argue, to remonstrate, and as -quickly decided that words were not wanted. - -"The señor is pleased to order," he said. "We shall obey. In an -hour from now we shall be a mile from the enemy." - -"Good. Then I shall meet you there and give further instructions. -Recollect, silence must be kept. No pipes are to be smoked, and, -above all, men must be careful of their weapons. Good-by!" - -Pepito was beside them now, and at a word from Dudley he strode by -his side out of the camp and away in the direction of the Indians. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -FIGHTING THE ENEMY - -It was a clear, starlight night when Dudley and Pepito stole out from -the little camp in which the gauchos lay, and sought for their -horses. They found them sleeping some few yards from the ring of -men, and soon had tightened girths and adjusted the bits. Then they -swung themselves into their saddles and rode away over the pampas, -making not a sound as they went. - -"How far will the señor ride?" asked Pepito, when they had trotted -forward for a couple of miles. "I do not fear that the Indians will -hear us at this distance, but we must not forget that if the greater -number are eating or sleeping, there are still men guarding the -cattle; for they know as well as we that without men to watch them -the beasts would stray. They will keep them together, and make away -early in the morning." - -"That is if we do not interfere before, and send them galloping about -their business," laughed Dudley. "I judge that we should be able to -see their fires long before we come up with them. In fact, I fancy I -can distinguish a glare in the sky already." - -"It is there, señor. When we top the next roll we shall see the -glare of their fires. They make no secret of their presence. Why -should they, indeed, when there are so many of them?" - -A little later a low cry burst from Dudley, and he pulled in his -horse, for his eye had suddenly detected a fire. A few paces farther -on he was able to sight as many as twenty, some flaring high, and -some dull and smouldering. A few were showing merely an occasional -flash of light. - -"They are surrounded by natives, and we can tell from that that they -are not all asleep," said Pepito. "They have camped within thirty -yards of the cattle, and no doubt have been busy." - -"Well, we cannot make sure of that from here," answered Dudley. "We -will leave our horses hobbled and push on on foot. When we are close -enough to see them distinctly we will lie down and watch for a time, -and get some idea of their position, and make up our minds from which -direction to attack them. There are the cattle to be reckoned with, -and their horses." - -They slipped silently out of their saddles, and very soon had hobbled -the horses. - -"They will stand where they are," said Pepito with conviction. "They -have had a good day's work, and were sleepy and tired when we took -them out. I expect they were not very pleased, and will be glad to -fall asleep again. Pietro and his men will find them here and will -keep them for us." - -They left the horses attached to one another by means of the reins, -and almost before they themselves had moved away the poor beasts were -asleep. Their heads hung down, and neither of them made the -slightest movement. Dudley and his companion took the precaution of -discarding their spurs, which they slung to their saddles. Then they -stepped out for the distant fires, and after a little while found -themselves within easy distance of them, and within sound of the -Indian camp. It was time, in fact, to use the utmost caution, and at -once they threw themselves on their faces and crawled forward, Dudley -in advance, and Pepito close beside him. In this way it was some -little time before they had arrived within pistol shot of the enemy. -They found the three or four hundred of which the party consisted -camped close together in one big circle, in the centre of which were -their horses. All round the circle were fires, some of them already -cold, while others were fast dying out. A few still flared brightly, -and round these sat numbers of dusky figures swathed in coarse -blankets. Some were smoking and chatting in low tones, while the -majority were fast asleep, having eaten till they could eat no more. -Pietro, indeed, knew the Indian customs to a nicety. They had a -great fondness for meat, a commodity which was often very scarce with -them; and hence they went to much fatigue to obtain fresh supplies, -raiding the various ranches, and too often making a fine haul. - -"They are pleased with the herd I should say, señor," whispered -Pepito. "They have not stinted themselves, if one can guess from the -carcasses. At least thirty beasts have been slain, and the meat is -all lying about the camp." - -"I see," Dudley answered, for he had caught sight of more than one of -the carcasses. "Have they any guards out round the camp. I have -been watching carefully, but have not been able to detect them." - -"None on this side, señor. I cannot say what they have over yonder -till I have been to see. But I think that there will be none. What -have four hundred to fear from a bare forty or fifty?" - -"As a general rule, nothing. But we must make quite sure of those -sentries. If there are none, all the better. I will crawl round -their camp to the left, while you make in the opposite direction. We -shall come together over there and can compare notes. Then we shall -have to see what arrangements they have made to guard the cattle." - -They exchanged hand-grips, and moved away from each other promptly, -crawling through the grass like a couple of snakes. It was a -dangerous business upon which they were engaged, and Dudley felt more -than a little excited. He knew very well that if he or Pepito were -discovered, his end would be swift and cruel. And he was equally -well aware of the fact that each one of the enemy was a savage, used -to work out in the open, and possessed of wonderful acuteness and of -the keenest hearing and vision. Supposing an Indian happened to see -him as he crawled! - -"It would be all up," he thought, with something approaching a -shiver. "But I'm not going to cry out till I'm hurt, and as Mr. -Blunt has made me under-manager of the rancho, I am not going to have -a lot of robbers like these fellows make into the place and sweep it -clean of cattle. Not if I know it." - -He gave a little grim chuckle, and crawled on, keeping his eyes well -about him. From the line he took he was able to look into the Indian -camp and see everything plainly, for, while he was shrouded in -darkness, the enemy's camp was partially illuminated by the fires -which still flared. He grew a little bolder, and approached nearer -still, till he could tell for certain that the greater number of the -men were fast asleep, doubled up beside the embers and swathed in -their blankets. Some sat up, covered from head to foot in the same -warm cloaking, and swaying at times somewhat dangerously. Thirty or -more were awake, and sat huddled close to the fire, smoking quietly, -and talking in low and drowsy tones. - -"Ready for bed!" he thought. "Well, there are no sentries over here, -so I'll push on. There are a couple of the ruffians round that fire -yonder." - -He crawled along beside the camp till he was opposite the fire which -had attracted his attention, and there he lay hidden in the grass for -a little while, watching two of the Indians eating voraciously. - -"Come off cattle guard, I expect," said Dudley, "and now making the -most of the provisions stolen from my master. That's another man." - -He heard a step somewhere behind him, and instantly crouched still -lower in the grass, and pressed his body close to the ground. The -step came nearer, and he heard some metal instrument jingle. Then, -not ten paces from him, a figure came dimly into view. It was an -Indian, who was armed with a gun which swung from his shoulder, and -carried in his hand the bit and the reins which he had just taken -from his horse. It was a buckle on these reins which Dudley had -heard tinkling, and presently he saw the animal from which they had -been taken following his master like a dog. The Indian whistled and -stepped on at a faster pace, for he had suddenly obtained a full view -of his two companions. Then he waited for the horse to come level -with him, took it by the mane, and led it to the centre of the camp, -going himself immediately to the fire side. - -"Where, no doubt, he will have his share of the food," thought -Dudley. "It was lucky for me that he did not come a yard or so -nearer this way, or he would have seen me for certain. Hallo!" - -"Señor!" - -"Here!" whispered Dudley. They came close together and lay down with -their heads touching. - -"All asleep on the far side, señor," Pepito reported. "Not a sentry -or guard of any sort. They have been eating their fill." - -"On this side all is clear also, Pepito. Now we will see what they -have done with the cattle. Go to the right again, while I make to -the left. We will meet on the far side, and then we will return to -our comrades." - -It was not a time for talking, for even a whisper might be heard. -They crept away together for some few yards, and then rose to their -hands and knees, and separated at once. Ten minutes later they met -on the opposite side of the herd, and compared notes. - -"I passed fourteen of their guards, all mounted, señor," said Pepito. -"They had guns slung to their shoulders, and had whips in their -hands. The cattle were asleep and perfectly quiet." - -"I saw ten men, mounted like yours," reported Dudley. "The herd -seemed to be as quiet as are those fellows in the camp. Let us get -back to Pietro and the men as soon as possible." - -It took some little while for them to make their way back to the -horses which they had left away on the pampas, for a flat grass plain -gives little idea of direction, and a dark but fine night does not -help a man out of the difficulty if he happen to have spent all his -days in one of our British towns. But Pepito could read the heavens -as easily as Dudley could absorb a book, and he quickly decided where -the horses lay. They strode on for a long while in silence, and then -the gaucho gave an exclamation of satisfaction. - -"As I thought," he said. "Pietro and the boys are there, and have -taken charge of our beasts. We shall soon be with them." - -He gave a low whistle when they arrived within a shorter distance of -the dark group which suddenly appeared, dull and ill-defined, against -the starlit sky, and at once the signal was answered. Pietro rode -forward, leading their two horses. - -"What news?" he asked. "The men here are full of excitement, and are -eager to attack. How do the enemy lie?" - -Dudley explained the situation in a few short sentences, while the -gauchos gathered round and drank in his words. - -"Everything seems to be in favor of this attack, señor," said Pietro -at length. "There remains now only the necessary orders. We are -here to obey, as I have already intimated. We wait for the señor's -commands. He has seen this Indian camp, he knows how the enemy is -placed, and no doubt he has already made his plans." - -"I have," came the short answer, "and I want all to listen. The -enemy are to the right of the cattle from where we lie now, and that -is, of course, the position in which we shall attack them. I think -you will all agree with me that when this attack is made it must be -fierce and sudden, and must be carried through." - -There was a grunt of approval from the listening gauchos, who edged a -little closer. - -"That is agreed. We have to press this attack home. Now, I think -there are about fifty of us." - -"Forty-eight, señor," came the swift correction from Pietro. - -"There are forty-eight, and I am going to divide that number into -three little parties for reasons you will soon understand. The duty -assigned to thirty of the men will be hazardous. It will require -dash and daring, and a heap of what we British call 'go.' I wish to -ask for volunteers from amongst you for that party. Those who are -willing to act, please ride forward a pace or so." - -There was silence for the space of a few seconds, while the men drank -in his words, and ninety-four shining and eager eyes stared at the -white youth in the centre. Then there was a sudden movement and -bustle, spurs tickled the flanks of the horses, and to a man the -gauchos pressed forward, disputing the right of way with one another. -Dudley grinned, an excited sort of grin. - -"I see," he laughed, "all are volunteers. Then we must settle the -matter quickly. The twenty-nine men to the right will ride away five -feet from their fellows. Now, please. Don't hesitate." - -There was a ring of authority in his voice, and at once the men -trailed away, while the gauchos left behind scowled at their -fortunate comrades. - -"Now, the next ten ride forward a little. That is good. We are left -with seven, and now I can give you all orders. The big party of -twenty-nine will follow me into the Indian camp from this end, and -will gallop through it, using their revolvers. They will not enter, -however, till the party of ten have taken up their position and fired -twice into the camp. That party will start from here at once. They -will ride to the right, and when they are beyond the camp will steal -up to it till well within range. When I fire a shot, they will open -with their rifles, and remember, two shots only, please. Once we -have charged through, they will also dash at them and cut right -across the path we have taken, doing their best to scatter the -horses, and when they are clear, they will turn to the right and join -us. We will then all have another turn at them. Pepito is to -command. Take your men, my lad." - -He sat his horse in silence while the astonished gaucho jogged up to -his own particular band, placed himself at their head, and went off -with his following at a swinging trot. - -"The remaining seven ride with us till we are nearly in position. -They wait for us to charge, and then attack the cattle guards, and do -their best to shoot down any Indian who attempts to break away. -Remember, boys, we want to make this a lesson, and the sterner it is -the better for all of you and for your master." - -The good fellows would have cheered him had not silence been -absolutely necessary. They were bold and courageous, as Dudley had -already learned, but they had little initiative, and were content as -a rule to act on the defensive. This attack was an entirely new -idea, and the novelty and daring of it took their breath away. Then -there was this plan. - -"Whoever heard the like?" exclaimed Pietro, his mouth wide open. -"Who could have thought of splitting us up into three parties? At -the first it seemed madness, for surely we are stronger when fighting -shoulder to shoulder. But this youth has thought the thing out, and -I follow his reasoning. When we attack from different quarters we -seem to be of bigger proportions than we really are. _Bueno_! I -hope we shall beat these ruffians. If not, it will have been a fine -fight, and we shall have enjoyed it. Boys, see that your shooters -are loaded." - -All were armed with revolvers, for these men earned good wages, and -could afford the best of weapons. They sat their horses in silence -now, staring after Pepito's party, and then at Dudley, who chatted -with Pietro. The fine fellows were beginning to fret at the -inaction. They fidgeted in their saddles, and reined their horses -back sharply whenever the beasts attempted to move. But Dudley sat -motionless, his watch in his hand, and the tip of one finger on the -dial. - -"I am giving them five minutes," he said. "When that time has gone, -we will walk forward." - -Snap! He closed his watch with a sharp click, and replaced it in his -pocket. - -"March!" he said shortly, and at once they were off, the men leaning -forward expectantly, and all longing for the moment for attack to -arrive. Ah! They mounted to the top of the long roll of the pampas, -and there were the fires, duller now it seemed, and twinkling in the -distance. They pressed on again, and very soon were within striking -distance. Dudley pulled in his horse and rode round to the flank of -the men. - -"Party of seven move away now under Pietro," he said in low tones. -"Halt till we shout, once you have gained your position. Now, boys, -we will steal forward." - -He placed himself at the head of the attacking party, and together -they walked their horses still closer to the enemy's camp. Not a -sound came from it at present, though from the herd of cattle a -little to the right there came the gentle lowing of beasts and the -occasional crack of a whip. - -"They hear us, señor," whispered one of the gauchos. "The cattle -hear sounds which we could not detect. They can tell that horses and -men are about, and it makes them restless. The alarm will be sounded -very soon if you do not fire your pistol. There!" - -It came as he spoke. One of the figures huddled near one of the -fires rose to his feet, for the lowing among the cattle had made him -suspicious. He was a light sleeper, and it happened that he was -suffering from an injury to his hand, which kept him awake. He -peered about him, looked again at the dull patch of black where the -gauchos rode, and then startled the air with his shouts. - -"Awake! Rise!" he bellowed. "There are enemies close to us. The -gauchos have returned. Get up and fire at them. We will kill every -man who waits till we are mounted." - -He dashed towards the horses, shouting as he ran. And at once some -twenty figures followed him, for these Indians, from their long -training to danger, were ever alert and quick to defend themselves. -But numbers had eaten not only enough, but a good deal more than -sufficient, and were correspondingly drowsy. Dudley's pistol shook -the air before they had quite gripped the fact that there was an -alarm, and they were just throwing off their blankets and rising to -their feet when Pepito's party sent a withering volley into their -midst. - -At once there were howls of anguish and shouts of astonishment. The -sluggards awakened with a vengeance, and dashed madly towards their -horses, while the herd of cattle close alongside sent out many a -bellow and began to sway from side to side. - -Crash! The second volley ripped through the camp, and hardly had the -Indians replied to it with yells of rage and fear when Dudley shouted -to his men. They were spread in a line across the end of the camp, -the gauchos being close together. They watched their leader as well -as the light and so many counter attractions would admit, and as he -set his horse in motion they came close on his heels. They were -galloping now, and their leader was waving them on. He gave a yell, -and at once the chorus took it up. The gauchos shrieked as loud as -any Indian, touched their horses with the spur, and in a moment the -little band was plunging through the camp. Fleeing Indians went down -under their heels, guns exploded in their faces, and of a sudden the -dark mass of swaying horses blocked their path. Dudley's revolver -snapped sharply, while the men behind poured a hail into the men -attempting to mount. Then the confusion became indescribable, for -the horses belonging to the Indians became maddened with fear. They -dashed this way and that, colliding with one another and overthrowing -the men who attempted to mount. A second later a number of them -bolted, while Dudley and his party dashed through after them, shot -down some of the enemy, rode others into the grass, and then -disappeared in the darkness. They were through. The men pulled in -their horses and faced about, each one proud of the achievement, and -making ready for the next attempt by cramming cartridges into his -weapon. - -[Illustration: ""DUDLEY'S REVOLVER SNAPPED SHARPLY""] - -"Charge!" Amidst all the babel, the frightened whinny of horses, the -hammering of hoofs, and the shrieks of the startled Indians, Pepito's -voice came clear to his comrades. They heard the report of his -revolver, and then the confusion in the camp became even worse. For -the gauchos placed under the young man's command were not going to -allow themselves to be beaten by their comrades. The light from the -fires had allowed them to see how the charge of Dudley's men had -succeeded, and they raced after their leader with the firm -determination to gallop through the enemy and come clear on the far -side. Very gallantly, too, did they carry out that determination. -They burst like a small wave on the savages, dashed them aside, and -then rode on, emptying their weapons as they rode. A few minutes -later they joined the larger party, dishevelled after their -exertions, and grinning with excitement. - -"Listen to our other friends!" said Pepito, suddenly jogging up to -Dudley's side as he was about to give the order for the charge to be -repeated. "Listen, señor. The seven are firing, and I think they -are calling to us. There is a great disturbance over there." - -They sat for a few seconds wondering what was happening, for the -noise from the camp, which was now as intense as before, and which -had spread on either side, was suddenly taken up on the far side of -the herd of cattle. The gauchos were shouting, calling to their -comrades, it seemed, while the bellowing from the cattle was almost -deafening. Then a flying figure came from behind them, and one of -the gauchos dashed up to Dudley. - -"Lead the men this way, señor," he shouted eagerly. "The herd is -moving. It is out of hand. The leaders are already running through -the camp. Ride for your lives!" - -He swung his beast round and made off, leaving Dudley wondering. But -he had seen cattle stampede before, and knew well that fifty horsemen -would not stop their frantic rush. It was news to hear that the herd -was in motion, but if true he must needs take notice of the warning. -Turning, he gave an order, and led his men at a gallop well to the -right. - -"It was well that you came at once, señor," said Pietro, riding up to -him when the party had come to a halt. "We attacked the guards who -looked to the cattle, and no doubt some of our shots hit the beasts. -They were already excited and suspicious, and suddenly they were off. -There was no stopping them, nor any need to do so, for they made -direct for the Indian camp, and at least half are galloping across it -now. The only danger was lest you and our comrades should be caught. -I sent a messenger." - -"Who found us, Pietro. But what shall we do now? These cattle have -upset my arrangements." - -"They have changed a great defeat into a huge disaster, señor," -answered the gaucho seriously. "I told you that there were four -hundred of the Indians, and they knew that there were not more than -fifty of us, and also that we could not fetch reinforcements before -to-morrow. You took them utterly by surprise, and no doubt cut them -up badly when you galloped through; but they would have rallied. -They were forced to do so, for their horses had stampeded as these -cattle are doing. I say that they would have recovered from the -fright, and then our work would have been before us. But now----" - -"The cattle have removed that danger." - -"The herd has stamped the Indian camp out of existence. Many men are -being killed as we talk. It is a disaster for them; for us it is a -magnificent victory the news of which will spread three hundred and -more miles on all sides, and will fill the settlers with delight and -courage. The Indians will be long before they recover their courage. -I know that I am speaking the truth, my master. The morning will -show you that these men are gone. Some will be mounted, and every -horse will carry two, or even three; but the camp will tell its tale. -The señor has but to listen to the shouting." - -Above the bellows of the stampeding oxen came the shrieks of men in -distress, while in all directions the Indians could be heard calling -to one another. - -"We could read them an even more severe lesson," said Dudley. "If, -as you say, they have lost many of their horses, we could catch them -up with ease and harry every foot of their retirement. Indeed I -think it would be as well to follow and let them see how completely -we command the situation. Perhaps it would do good in the future if -we captured some, and explained that such an attempt again would meet -with even worse punishment." - -"I advise that we rest satisfied," was Pietro's answer, after some -moments' consideration. "It is true that we might easily cut them up -again; but then they might be able to offer some resistance and kill -some of our number. Better let them see us drawn up together and -watching their flight than interfere further. Besides, we have the -cattle to think about. They must be collected. You may depend upon -it that not one of the Indians here to-day will wish to pay us -another visit unless helped by large numbers of comrades. They may -raid other ranchos when they have got over their fright, but they -will hardly come back here, señor, unless they are helped as I have -said, and are burning for revenge." - -Dudley and his men slipped from their horses when there was no longer -any fear of the cattle turning their way, and they squatted on the -pampas, and discussed the recent engagement. The gauchos were filled -to the brim with excitement and pride. They had never been in such a -fight before, and the memory of their charge made their pulses stir -still, and brought a flush to their dusky cheeks. Then they -reflected that this Indian defeat would be the talk of the province, -and their conduct would be praised by one and all. It was worth the -risk they had run, and if their young leader had asked them to try -again, they would have fallen in with his request willingly. - -When day dawned, and the rolling pampas was disclosed to view, the -sweeping nature of the defeat from which the enemy had suffered -became more apparent. Fortune had backed up the dash of the gauchos, -and the stampeding cattle had completed the work commenced by Dudley -and his men. The camp, with its numerous fires, was trodden and -stamped out of existence. There was a dull trail of bruised and -crushed grass running right over it and overlapping it far on either -side, a trail which went on into the distance, where the scattered -herd could now be seen, grazing peacefully. And along the length of -that dark line were numbers of huddled figures, the Indians who had -fallen, some to the bullets of the gauchos, some ridden down by their -horses, but the greater number overwhelmed by the mad rush of the -herd. Five miles away a sad gang of fugitives were riding fast from -the rancho, and as Pietro had said, the Indians had but few horses -amongst them. - -"Mount!" shouted Dudley. "Now we will follow those fellows, and just -let them see that we are still fresh and ready. But we will not -touch them unless they attempt to retaliate. I want them to see us -and learn the numbers of those who attacked them." - -They galloped after the fleeing Indians, and very soon were within -three hundred yards of the unfortunate wretches. There they pulled -rein and watched as the disconsolate warriors made off. Some were on -foot, and limped along at the tails of the horses, while numbers sat -huddled on the beasts which they had managed to capture during the -conflict. Some of the horses staggered under the weight of three -men, while there was not one that did not carry at least two. - -"They would surrender to a man if we were to follow," said Dudley, -noticing the frantic efforts made by the Indians to increase their -distance, and their appearance of fatigue. "Give them a shout, lads. -Now," he went on, when the gauchos had sent the enemy on their way -with a shout of defiance, "we will see to the cattle, and then report -to Mr. Blunt. He went down to the port the day before yesterday, -promising to be back this evening." - -When Dudley reached the house at dusk he found his employer waiting -for him, and he promptly made him acquainted with the events of the -past few hours. - -"It is a fine tale, and makes my blood warm towards these gallant -gauchos," said Mr. Blunt when he had finished. "They have done -magnificently, and you too, Dudley. Yes, I have no doubt who led -them. Answer me. Was the plan not yours?" - -Dudley admitted the fact with heightened color. - -"I said as much. Then my neighbors and I have to thank you for a -very fine victory, which will bring peace and security perhaps for -many a long day. But we must not be over sanguine. The man who -believes that he has shaken the courage of a treacherous foe such as -these Indians, and does not count on their spirit of revenge, lays -himself open to an unexpected attack and to annihilation. We must -not forget that we are a buffer rancho as it were. That we lie -between the Indians and our fellow ranchers, and that we must nearly -always bear the brunt of the attack." - -"Then why not organize, sir?" demanded Dudley. "As far as I can -gather, each grazier out on the pampas looks to himself for -protection. Too often they are content to lose beasts, taking such -losses as a matter of course. Now if you and the others were to -organize. If you had some signal which would draw the attention of -all, some system of messengers, then you would be able to laugh at -the Indians. Why not also build forts close to each corral?" - -Mr. Blunt looked up sharply. He was a man not altogether lacking in -original ideas, but was often content to take things as he found -them. He had put up with Indian raids in the past as a matter of -course, as an evil to which all ranchers were liable. He was always -ready to go to the help of others, and, indeed, would not have -hesitated to call in the succor of his friends. But then he owned an -outlying estancia, peculiarly open to attack, and there had never -been time to call in help. Dudley's late effort was the most -brilliant performance of which he had heard. And now the lad -proposed an alliance with others, and the building of forts. - -"What else?" demanded Mr. Blunt. - -"I should arrange to muster two or three hundred men at the first -sign of an Indian invasion, and then I should not be content to beat -them off; I should follow them into their own country." - -"And then?" - -"I should wipe them out. I should follow them a hundred miles, and -even more, burn their villages, sweep in their cattle, and, in short, -teach them such a lesson as they would hardly ever forget." - -It was a bold suggestion, but none the less a sensible one. It was -high time the ranchers on the pampas put a summary end to such -persecution from the Indians. Their raids sometimes meant a very -considerable loss of cattle, and very often many men were killed. It -was high time indeed that a bolder policy was decided on. - -"Done!" cried Mr. Blunt, bringing one of his brawny fists down on to -the table. "We will do it, Dudley, and you shall organize the -movement. We will go fully into the matter to-morrow, and on the -following day will ride for Buenos Ayres, there to order the fittings -for our forts. When they arrive, and the men are set to work, you -shall ride round and see all the estancia owners within a hundred -miles." - -It was a bargain. The two friends--for that they were, though one -was master and the other employé--gripped hands, and, having thus -shown their faith in each other, went off to their couches to sleep -and to prepare for the morrow. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -AN IMPORTANT DISCUSSION - -"For the first time for many a long day I suffered from -sleeplessness," said Mr. Blunt on the following morning, when he and -Dudley met. "This idea of yours filled my mind so that my eyes would -not close. I kept asking myself over and over again why I had been -content to go on, year in and year out, suffering these Indian raids, -when I might have made arrangements to call my friends after the very -first raid and follow the ruffians. Then I thought of the poor -gauchos who had been killed, and finally I came to the conclusion -that I would not let another day pass without taking steps to carry -out your plan. Now, lad, we will send for Pietro and give him his -orders. Then we will mount and ride for the port. Fortunately I -have business to attend to in Buenos Ayres, and shall be able to see -to it and to this other matter at the same time." - -According to their usual custom they went to the stables, led out -their horses and watered them, afterwards feeding and grooming them. -And while the beasts ate in peace, the two sat down to their own -breakfast. By the time the grooming was done, Pietro was there, -standing awkwardly before his employer, shuffling from one foot to -the other, and grinning so that his strong white teeth shone in the -morning sun. - -"A fine day, master," he said in his quaint English. "A grand day. -The hearts of the men are gay this morning. The master has heard the -whole tale?" - -"Heard the tale, and thanks his faithful and gallant gauchos," -exclaimed Mr. Blunt, striding up to the swarthy foreman and gripping -his hand. "My young manager has told me how well you all behaved, -and I can assure you that I am highly pleased. Never before have the -Indians had such a lesson. I am proud of my gauchos." - -"And they of their master and his manager," came the answer, as -Pietro shuffled his feet and flushed under his dusky skin, while he -struck at the doorposts with the tail of his riding whip. For the -tall owner of the rancho had a peculiar effect on his gauchos. They -held him in great respect, always listened to what he had to say and -straightway obeyed. It was seldom that they exchanged words with him. - -"You sent for me, master," said Pietro at length; "what do you -desire?" - -"That you should conduct the work of the rancho while we are absent. -Listen, Pietro! My young manager, the gringo who so lately joined us -and showed an old hand how to shoot, has done a great deal for us." - -"That is true, master," eagerly assented Pietro. "Did he not lead us -yesterday? Is not our success due to him?" - -"To him and to those who supported him," was the answer. "But he has -done more. He has asked me why it is that I as well as other owners -of estancias on the pampas are content to put up with Indian raids, -to suffer the loss of cattle and men." - -The gaucho's dark eyebrows were elevated, while he flicked with his -whip at the doorpost. - -"It is not a question of why, master," he said. "Up till yesterday -we have followed one plan, and one only. The señor gave us another, -and well it worked. But I fear we shall have to go on as before. -Who can say when these Indians will come again? I think it may be a -year or more, for they have been soundly beaten. But they are fierce -fighters, and they must hate us very sorely. If they think that -there is a chance of success they will raid us again, and then it -will not be cattle alone for which they will come." - -"I agree. They will endeavor to wipe us all out, so as to satisfy -their thirst for revenge." - -"That is so, master. They will kill every man here, and torture as -many as possible." - -"Then tell, me, Pietro, do you and your comrades wish to be tortured, -to be suddenly set upon and killed by the Indians?" - -The gaucho started and flushed again, while a puzzled expression came -over his face. - -"Surely not, master," he said quickly. "But there is always the -danger, and how can we avoid it?" - -"Come into the house and I will tell you," answered Mr. Blunt shortly. - -Turning, they went into the one big room and sat down at the table, -on which the tall Englishman spread out a plan of the Entre Rios -country, which showed the estancia stretched out on the pampas. - -"We are here," he said, putting his finger on a wide stretch marked -"Mr. Blunt's estancia." "You see we are close to the Indian country, -which extends beyond us into the interior. The Indians have for many -years now been moving closer to the ranchos, for they are then within -reach of the beasts they steal, and still so much in the wilds that -the gauchos and their masters do not care to follow. But we shall do -that. The señor here has proposed that we build forts close to each -corral. Into those forts our men can dash when the Indians appear, -and if they have time to drive the beasts into the corral, all the -better, for then their rifles will be able to keep the enemy from -touching them. You know that Indians like to fall upon their victims -when they are least expected, and do not care to attack houses and -forts." - -"That is true, señor. They are cowards at heart, I think. Cruel and -fierce when all is in their favor, but wanting in dash at other -times. They would not easily take a fort. This plan promises well, -for it will save the lives of men and many valuable beasts." - -"It might do even more," suddenly interposed Dudley. "A flare might -be arranged at the top of each fort, and fire be put to it the -instant the Indians appeared. The smoke would be seen during the -day, and the flame at night. That would spread the alarm, so that -the gauchos all over the estancia would know within a few minutes of -the Indians' coming." - -"And at once ride here," cried Mr. Blunt. "That is a good suggestion -and shall be adopted. Now, Pietro, what have you to say to all this?" - -"What can I say, señor, but that the scheme promises well? I can see -that a fort close to each corral will allow the gauchos to reach -safety before the Indians come; for if a tower be built, a watchman -can be stationed there and give early warning. Then there is a flare -to warn all the rest, and while they assemble, the fort and the -beasts in the corral will occupy the attention of the Indians. They -will find us ready, and their rush will fail. There will be -fighting, and they will retire at once, unless they are in great -strength, when the señors will send for help and drive them away." - -"We shall do more," said Mr. Blunt briskly. "The young señor -proposes that we call in our neighbors, and that we follow a hundred -and more miles if necessary, till we come up with the raiders, and -destroy them and their villages. What do you think of that plan?" - -The sturdy gaucho opened his eyes very wide at the news, for never -before had such a suggestion been made. Indeed, as the reader will -have already gathered, the owners of the ranchos and their gauchos -had hitherto been satisfied if all their beasts were not taken. -Retaliation was as a rule out of the question, while the Indian -country was practically unexplored, and was supposed to be wild and -waterless, and to offer great danger to those who did not know it. -Pietro had had food for reflection during the last two hours. Like -Mr. Blunt, he had seen that another course was possible, for Dudley's -tactics had been eminently successful. But to hear now that still -more was intended--that a more vigorous and pugnacious policy was to -be followed, and every effort made not only to defend the rancho -against Indian attack, but to follow and punish the marauders, -astounded him. He struck his overalls a sounding thwack with his -whip, and stared, open-mouthed, at his master. Then his eyes turned -to Dudley, and he smiled. - -"This proposition," he said, "comes from the young señor?" - -"It does. I have agreed to the plan and have been thinking out the -details." - -"Then what is good to the señor and his manager is good also to me -and my comrades. If the Indians come we will enter the forts and -hold them. Afterwards we will go with our masters and do our utmost -to slay every one of the ruffians. Then shall we be able to ranch in -peace and security. We and our wives shall no longer be in dread of -a sudden night attack, of torture, and of a violent death. The señor -goes now and wishes me to look after the rancho?" - -"That is so. We shall be gone for two weeks, perhaps, and in that -time there need be no fear of the Indians. It will take us six -months to build our forts, and by then perhaps the enemy will have -recovered from their beating, and will be considering another attack. -Now, Pietro, you will go to the men and tell them what you have -heard. Let them know that the plan is the young señor's, and that I -fully agree with it." - -The sturdy gaucho went off, flicking his whip, and Dudley and his -employer watched the active fellow walk up to his horse, which stood -out by the well with the reins dangling loosely on its neck. He -seemed to kick the ground with his feet and in a moment was in the -saddle. No need for Pietro to wait to get his stirrups. The horse -bounded off, the whip cracked like a pistol, and the foreman of the -gauchos raced away like the wind, eager to tell his tale and let all -know what was about to happen. - -"Now we will pack our valises and go," said Mr. Blunt. "Pepito will -accompany us to the port and will return with the horses. I shall -give him orders to bring them again within two weeks, for our -business will take us quite a week and the rest of the time will be -spent on the river. As we sail down stream we will go carefully into -this matter, and draw up a list of articles which will be required." - -Within half an hour the two were mounted and riding from the rancho, -while Pepito, his dusky face aglow with pride, sat a beautiful horse -just behind them. Across the pommel of his saddle was slung the coil -of his bolas, while the barrel of his rifle stuck up clear behind his -head, for he had slung the weapon. A gallant and handsome fellow he -looked, too, for this Pepito was barely twenty-three, and as fine a -specimen of the gaucho cowboy as could be met with. He was tall, -slim, and extremely active. He sat his horse as if he had been born -in the saddle, his knees close in, his toes just engaging the -stirrups, and the whole poise of his body denoting comfort and ease. -And yet he sat on a horse which barely four weeks before had been -rounded up from a herd of wild horses grazing out on the pampas, a -big, handsome gray which danced from side to side as they rode, -tossing its head, and clanking its bit, while every rolling leaf, -every shadow or reflection of the sun sent it shying to one side, or -prancing till its fore feet pawed the air; and its rider sat a saddle -which gave little or no support. - -Dudley and his employer, too, made a handsome picture as they rode -side by side. They sat their saddles with that easy grace which -comes to men who ride every day and for a great part of the day. No -longer did the huge spurs which were strapped to Dudley's heels -trouble him. He hardly knew that they were there, for practice does -wonders. - -Chatting together as they rode, trotting at times, and at others -going at a gentle amble, they finally reached their camping ground -for the night, and slid from their horses. It took but a little -while to water the beasts and to feed them, when, leaving them to the -enjoyment of their meal, Dudley and his employer went for a stroll, -while Pepito, his sleeves rolled to the elbow, lit a fire, placed a -kettle upon it, and skewered a piece of deer flesh on his ramrod. -Presently the meal was ready, and when it was finished, and Mr. Blunt -had smoked his cigar, saddles were placed on end, blankets laid on -the ground, and in a little while the three were sleeping, their -ponchos wrapped well round them, and only the stars above to look -down upon their recumbent figures. - -On the following afternoon they reached the port at which Dudley had -first disembarked, and were lucky in getting a boat at once. - -"One never knows how they will be running," said Mr. Blunt, "and I -have made it a practice, when going down to the coast, to send in a -messenger a few days before to get tidings of the boats. This is -luck, and in a matter of three days we shall be at Buenos Ayres. On -the way down we will go thoroughly into these matters we have been -speaking of." - -Two days later, after a most pleasant sail down the Paraná, they -arrived at their destination, and Mr. Blunt at once led the way to a -business house with which he was acquainted. - -"I have an agent here who buys my cattle," he said. "The beasts are -driven to slaughterhouses near the river, and there the flesh is -dried. Boats lie alongside the little dock, and at once carry the -dried flesh, the hides, and hoofs, and horns, down to Buenos Ayres. -It is a good arrangement, for once the beasts are handed over by my -gauchos I have no further trouble. The time has come to clear some -of the herds out, and that is partly the reason of my visit here. -Now, this is the house. You will see that my friends here will be -able to supply us with all that we want. They are general agents, -and buy or sell everything from live beasts to nails and tinned -tacks." - -The firm to which he went were indeed exceedingly up-to-date, and -once they had ascertained Mr. Blunt's wants, and had looked over his -lists, they declared that they could obtain all the articles within -three days. - -"The guns we shall get here, as well as ammunition," said the -manager. "Then the tools, nails, and other things are in this store, -so that they will not delay you. The wood is the only difficulty. -You say, Mr. Blunt, that there is not sufficient up near your -estancia?" - -"That is so," was the answer. "What there is, is too small. -Besides, I haven't men enough to spare for cutting. It will be -cheaper to buy round or squared logs and ship them to the cattle -station. From there they can be carted to the corrals. That reminds -me, I shall want a couple of dozen extra hands to help with the -buildings." - -In half an hour the details of the whole order had been arranged. -Mr. Blunt was advised to charter a boat to carry all the stores to be -obtained in Buenos Ayres, and to pick up his logs at a port higher up -the river, where it would be cheaper. - -"You will have to send up several loads, without doubt," said the -manager, "for one of the boats would not carry enough for one fort -even. The boat will be chartered this evening, and the loading can -commence to-morrow. I will engage a couple of dozen men, if -possible, and they can go up with you." - -So excellent were the arrangements that within four days Mr. Blunt -and Dudley found themselves embarked on a river boat, and standing up -the stream for the port where they were to pick up wood for the -forts. On board, besides rifles and tools, they had seven men, whom -they had engaged to undertake the building operations, and these -individuals were engaged at that moment in sprawling on the deck -forward and smoking vigorously. - -"Not a very taking lot of fellows," said Mr. Blunt in low tones, as -he and Dudley emerged from the small cabin which had been given up to -them, and stepped on the deck. "They are, I expect, the men who are -always open to casual labor, and who lounge about the docks looking -for odd jobs. However, we shall see little of them, and Pietro and -his gauchos will keep them in order. Now, all we want is a smart -breeze to take us swiftly up the river." - -Fortune seemed to smile upon them in this expedition, for they held a -brisk and favoring breeze all that day and the next, and when the -second night came they were anchored off the port where they were to -take in the wood. A couple of cables were passed out from the bow -and stern, and made fast to the wharf, while a plank was thrown -across to the latter, enabling all to land at their pleasure, a -privilege of which the hands who had been engaged at once took -advantage. Mr. Blunt and Dudley ate their evening meal, and having -strolled ashore for a time returned to their cabin. - -"I would far rather we had not put in so close to the shore," said -the former, "for it has given those men of ours a chance to get into -the town, which seems to consist mostly of saloons. They are rough -fellows, and the chances are they will hardly be fit for work early -in the morning. Those must be our logs piled on the wharf, and I -reckon four hours work will see them all aboard. That should allow -us to reach the cattle station where they are to be unloaded in about -twenty-four hours, so that we shall be back at the rancho within the -time we mentioned." - -They sat chatting for a little while, and presently, finding the -fumes of his employer's cigar just a little strong in the confined -space of the cabin, Dudley went out on deck and strolled up and down. - -"Pitch dark," he said to himself, looking up at the sky, and then at -the dim oil lamps on shore. "I think Mr. Blunt must be right about -the men, for there is a great commotion going on over there. It -sounds as if they were fighting in one of the saloons. And what's -that?" - -The creak of a block and the thud of a rope on the deck of a boat a -little distance away attracted his attention, and for some few -minutes he stood quite still, listening to the commotion from the -saloons on shore and to the sounds from the river. - -"Evidently another boat has put in for the night," he said. "There -goes her anchor, and I suppose we shall see her in the morning. It -is so dark that one cannot see a foot in front of one's face." - -As he stood on the deck of the river boat he distinctly heard the -splash of an anchor falling into the water, and the low call of men -pulling at the cable. It did not strike him then that the noise they -made was subdued, as if they were afraid of attracting the attention -of the people on the quay or those aboard the other boat moored close -to it. He listened for a while, and then went into the cabin, where -he found Mr. Blunt still smoking. - -"How's the night?" asked Mr. Blunt. "Dark? Then I am glad we are at -rest, for there are rocks and sand-banks up in these reaches of the -river, and it is not nice to be stranded on them. That is why the -majority of boats tie up at night. What of the men?" - -"There is a good deal of noise from the saloons in the town," -answered Dudley. "It sounds as if they were quarrelling." - -"I should not wonder," was the reply. "They are a set of -ne'er-do-wells, who enjoy a rough and tumble in the saloons. It -would not surprise me if one or more were hurt. The gauchos who come -in from the estancias are wonderfully polite as a rule, but when they -get to the saloons, and have indulged somewhat freely in the bad -spirit to be obtained there, they become quarrelsome. It does not -take a gaucho a second to produce a revolver, and when shooting -begins someone is sure to be killed. They are, in fact, every bit as -wild as the cowboys in North America. Ah! That was a shot. Well, -we cannot interfere, but I hope that those foolish fellows have not -got into trouble." - -He stifled a yawn, flung the stump of his cigar through the port, and -lay back in his seat. As for Dudley, the silence of the river had -some fascination for him, or perhaps the sudden and quiet arrival of -the other boat had aroused his suspicions. He went out on the deck -again, and paced restlessly to and fro, listening intently, starting -when a yard creaked, and straining his ears to catch every sound. He -could see a light now across the water some fifty yards away, and now -and again thought he heard the sound of voices. - -"Perhaps they are having a late meal before turning in," he thought. -"But I cannot make out why they are so silent. As a rule one hears a -mandolin playing, and some fellow singing to the stars. They are so -suspiciously silent!" - -Half an hour later, unable to make anything of the strangers, and -satisfied that there was really nothing to be alarmed about, he went -to the cabin again, and reported that the town was quiet, and that as -yet there was no sign of the men who had left the vessel. - -"They will appear in the early hours of the morning," said Mr. Blunt, -"and no doubt we shall be awakened by their singing. Time to turn -in, Dudley; we have work before us on the morrow." - -Throwing themselves, fully dressed as they were, upon the cushions on -either side of the cabin, they closed their eyes and were soon fast -asleep, the feeble rays from a swinging candle light shining upon -their figures, while the silence of the cabin was broken by their -heavy breathing and by the drone of the many mosquitoes infesting the -river. Now and again there was a sound from the neighboring boat, -but it did not disturb them. They suspected no danger from that -quarter, and would not have troubled had the boat lain alongside -their own. If, however, they could have looked into the cabin aboard -that ship they would have thought otherwise, for gathered there were -more than half a dozen cut-throats, all smoking, and all drinking out -of tin mugs, which they replenished liberally from a big stone jar. -They sat in the narrow place about a long table, at the head of which -was a bearded individual, tall and lean, and with a malignant cast of -countenance. To look at him under the flickering rays of the smoky -lamp he might have been of any nationality. He was swarthy enough -almost to be an Indian or a gaucho, and yet he lacked the upright -carriage, the direct manner, of those wild men of the pampas. -Certainly he was not an Englishman, while his language seemed to -indicate that he was an Italian. He was speaking in low tones to his -comrades, sometimes addressing them in Italian, sometimes in -Portuguese, and at times throwing a word of explanation in English to -a haggard individual who sat at the far end of the table. - -The latter had the cut of a sailor, and any doubt there might have -been on that subject was set at rest by his nautical language. He -was an Englishman, a down-at-heels sailor, and most likely had -deserted from one of the many sailing ships which put in every week -at Montevideo. He was dressed in ragged clothing, wore a week's -growth of stubbly beard on his chin, and was altogether as -disreputable as one could expect to see. The others were much the -same as those who had been engaged by Mr. Blunt for building -operations on the rancho, except that they had the cut of gauchos. -They wore riding overalls too, and had spurs at their heels, a fact -which went far to prove that they were used to horses and to the -pampas. - -"You have the plan nicely in your heads, comrades," said their -spokesman, draining his pannikin. "You are poor?" - -"Poor! As poor as mice who live in a church," laughed one of the -men. "We have not a dozen coins to toss among us. We are at the end -of our tether, and look to you and other kind friends to help us to -improve our fortunes." - -"Then you have an easy way before you," went on the leader, leering -round at the men. "A friend of mine in Montevideo has pointed out a -way in which we can all gain wealth easily. You have heard of the -estancias and their owners? Yes, I see that you have. Well, are -they not wealthy?" - -"As rich as bankers," came the answer. "When they have paid their -gauchos, and sold their cattle, they have money in hand. I should -know, considering that I spent a dozen years on the pampas." - -"And you also know the time when their cattle are sold. Twice a -year, is it not, comrade?" - -"That's correct. Twice a year, and just now is one of the times. -The owners have money to chink, and many will not have banked it yet." - -"That is just what my friend said. He advised us to form a band to -raid these estancias, and to gather what money we could. We commence -with this man called Blunt." - -The English sailor pricked up his ears at that, and asked a question -in very indifferent Portuguese. - -"Blunt?" he said. "That's an Englishman. Who is he?" - -"A great friend of my friend's," came the leering answer. "So great -a friend that we are to attack him first. He is in the boat lying -below us. Now, comrades, can you say why I induced our captain to -haul in here above that other boat? No? Then I will explain. If we -slacken the ropes we shall be carried down silently against the boat, -and then----" - -The ruffian touched his knife significantly. - -"In an hour or two, perhaps," he said. "Our comrades will have -returned from the saloons by then, and will be ready to help us. -Till then we can smoke." - -He reached out for the spirits and replenished his pannikin with -liberal hand. Then he continued to chatter in low tones with his -comrades. As for the sailor, he was a garrulous ruffian, and had -imbibed sufficient spirit to make him even more talkative. He found -it lonely to sit at the table while men conversed in an unknown -language, and presently, feeling that he too must chatter, he turned -on his seat, stretched out a grimy paw, and shook someone who lay -asleep on one of the long benches against the wall of the cabin. A -tall, slim young man sat up, rubbing his eyes, and stared round at -the group about the table with every sign of annoyance and disgust. -Indeed, a glance at him was sufficient to show that he was of a -different stamp entirely. He was dressed as a gaucho but hardly had -the appearance of one of those fine fellows. His cheeks were not -tanned, and his hands looked as if they had done little work. Still, -for all that, he was sturdy enough, and, if one might venture a -guess, was decidedly English. In fact he had only recently arrived -out from England, and had taken a passage up the river in this -particular boat. - -"What is it?" he demanded curtly, for he had kept aloof from his -fellow passengers. "What do you want? I am sleepy and wish to be -left alone." - -"Oh ho, so you're sleepy!" answered the sailor huskily. "Well, my -bird, you needn't look so ugly. You don't understand the lingo of -these here fellers, now, do yer? Well, nor don't I, 'cept when the -chap with the beard speaks in Portuguese or the English he's got. -But you can understand me, I reckon, and so we'll have a chat. How'd -yer like to join to-night, and make a pile from the chap in that boat -down below us?" - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -WHITE BRIGANDS - -The River Paraná and its neighborhood were, in the days of which we -write, not always very secure for travellers. To begin with, -revolutions and conflicts between the states into which South America -was divided were of somewhat frequent occurrence, and then it is only -to be expected that, being so close to the ranchos, and the hundreds -of gauchos employed there, rowdyism and ruffianism were of occasional -occurrence. The unfortunate owners of the estancias had not only -Indians and their raids to fear. They were often enough wealthy men, -for there was always a demand for cattle, and the very fact of their -having wealth often proved an attraction to the many ne'er-do-wells -who had come to the country to try their luck, or to join some -revolutionary band. There had been raids on estancias by white men -before then, and piratical attacks on the river were not entirely -unknown. But to the English youth who had taken a passage in the -boat which lay a few yards higher up the river than the one which Mr. -Blunt had chartered, such an attempt was a matter for intense -surprise. He was a stranger in the country, and knew nothing of the -inhabitants, or he would never have taken passage with such a set of -ruffians. - -"Make a pile!" he exclaimed while he stared through the smoke of the -cabin at the ragged and ill-kempt sailor. "What do you mean? You -can't----" - -"That's jest where you make the error, young feller," interrupted the -man, taking a much-blackened clay from between his lips. "For a chap -as has got nothing there ain't a country to come up to this. Look at -me. Do I give the impression of having money?" - -"Hardly!" came the cautious answer. - -"That's jest it. There ain't a single coin in my pockets, and I was -starving till these fellows came along." - -"'Can yer ride?' asks the chap with the beard. - -"'Jest a bit,' I answered, for a sailor can stick on most things. -Then he got talking, and as a result I signed on for this here -voyage. We're goin' up to the pampas to wipe out the ranchers. -They're worth a pile, and we'll skin 'em of every shillin'. We're -starting with the fellow lyin' in the boat below. He's got heaps of -money, they say, and I've a notion that blackbeard over there has a -grudge against him. That's the job, shaver. We start to-night, and -it seems to me, seeing as you're English, as you'd better sail in -company with us, and get a share. What say?" - -For a moment or two the young fellow listening looked as if he would -return an indignant reply to such a suggestion. But he happened to -cast his eye round at the faces about the table, and then at the -unshaven cheeks of the sailor. - -"A set of ruffians to look at them," he said to himself. "And they -seem as if they would stop at nothing. How on earth I was fool -enough to take a passage with them I cannot say. But it is done now, -and cannot be helped. He said this man to be attacked was English." - -"Who is the rancher you are going to attack?" he asked cautiously, -suddenly determining to get all the information possible. - -"Who is the feller? Well, can't say as I know or care. He's -English, else his name wouldn't be Blunt, would it? and he's got the -coin. What more do you want to know? Eh? How it's to be done? -Simple as standin', shaver. We've a cable with an anchor down at the -bottom of the river, and there's slack enough to let us down stream -quite a lot. See now! We just drop quiet and easy down on the boat -below, and before them chaps can shout, whew!" - -He drew his hand significantly across his neck, and leered at the lad -who listened. - -"Jest like that," he said, grinning so that his blackened teeth -showed. "They ain't got a dog's chance. Reckon we'll start this -game by makin' a fine haul, and spendin' a week in the saloons." - -Little by little, and speaking in an undertone, the young man wormed -the plot out of the sailor, and when he had done so he lay down again -for a while, having deferred his consent till he had considered the -matter. Later he sat up again, for the sailor pulled at his clothing. - -"Guess you've decided to come in," he said. "Ef so, I'll speak to -blackbeard over there and make it right. I thought at first as you -was a toff, with brass in your pocket. But there's many sich as you -comes out to this country to work, and who live down in the towns -till their money's gone. Then it's hard to get a job, special ef you -ain't used to the ranches. Then's the time when a feller jumps to -join a band like this. Why, I can see that there ain't goin' ter be -too much hard work. There'll be better grub than a sailor gets -aboard ship, and if we've luck, there'll be coin in plenty. You'll -join?" - -"Yes, I'll come in. You can book me as one of the number," was the -answer, while the young man glanced round at the gang in the cabin, a -look of half-suppressed aversion and fear on his face. "You make the -terms with them while I go on deck. This cabin is stuffy, and I feel -as if I wanted a mouthful of air." - -"Best a mouthful of spirit," growled the sailor, rolling in his seat. -"Hi, there! jest pass the bottle and a pannikin. The shaver here -wishes for a draught." - -But the crew of ruffians happened at that moment to be deeply engaged -in conversation, and took no heed of the call. The young man rose, -hastily declined the drink, and retreated from the cabin. - -"Blest ef I understand the shaver!" grumbled the sailor. "Never knew -a white man refuse before. Eh? What's he gone for? A mouthful of -air, of course." - -The black-bearded individual at the head of the table had suddenly -broken off his conversation with his fellow conspirators, and asked -the sailor a question, while he followed the retreating figure of the -youth with suspicious eyes. - -"Who is he?" he asked. "And where is he going?" - -"Who? Why, a chum of mine," roared the sailor, toying with his -pannikin. "I've been talkin' to him, and it seems as he's like us. -He's in want of coin too, and he's eager to join. He can ride a bit, -so he'll be useful later. 'Sides, it's a good thing to have a shaver -to wait on us older men. He's right, capt'n, so don't you get -follerin'." - -"Right or not, he'd best behave himself," answered the leader of the -gang, casting a menacing glance towards the door, and then turning -with a scowl to his companions. "This scum of an Englishman will -suit us for a time," he went on in his own tongue; "but I begin to -see that he will be a nuisance. He is quarrelsome, and will want too -much perhaps. Well, if it comes to that, there is a way of removing -the man." - -A sinister look passed between the men at the table as they glanced -at one another. Indeed they were a band of ruffians who understood -one another perfectly, and, if the truth were known, had been on more -than one of these lawless expeditions. The condition of the country -favored them, for the ranchers had no protection other than what they -supplied themselves, and the vast extent of their holdings, the great -distances which separated them, were in favor of the ruffians who -raided their estancias. At times, indeed, the bands of freebooters -who roamed the pampas, and threw in their lot with the Indians, were -a source of great danger to the graziers. For these white men, a -collection from the riffraff of the towns, made no pretence of -seizing cattle. They left that to the Indians, and threw it out as a -bait to obtain their help. They organized the raids, left the -Indians to round up what cattle they could lay their hands on, and -promptly made for the estancia, where revolvers were used -mercilessly, the house swept clean of all its valuables, and too -often the owner shot in cold blood on his doorstep. Such things had -occurred many a time, so that the graziers had had to band together -for self protection. Then, when the net began to close in on the -raiders, and matters began to look menacing for them, they would -leave their Indian allies, and, splitting up, would ride for the -coast towns again, there to spend their ill-gotten wealth in the -saloons, and wait till an opportunity for further violence occurred. - -The young fellow who had been in the cabin emerged on to the deck and -walked rapidly to the stern. While in the cabin, under the eyes of -the sailor, he had maintained an appearance of coolness and -indifference; but now, when he was alone on the deck, beads of -perspiration burst from his forehead, his hands closed convulsively, -and he showed every indication of distress. - -"To think that I was fool enough to take a passage with such a set!" -he groaned. "To me, so new to this country, all these fellows look -alike. They are rough, ill-dressed, and very free and easy in their -manners. I never imagined for a moment that these fellows were other -than ranchers returning to their work. What am I to do?" - -He stood leaning on the rail of the river boat, his eyes fixed upon -the lights from the saloons ashore, while he listened to the songs -and shouts which issued from them. Then his attention was caught by -a faint glimmer some yards astern, and, having peered into the -darkness for some few minutes, he was able to detect the outline of -the boat in which Mr. Blunt and Dudley were sleeping. - -"Ah, I see the plan!" he said. "These ruffians slack off their cable -and float down on that boat, then they board her. The sailor said -that they had friends ashore who would rush to help them by means of -the gangway stretching from the boat to the wharf. After that---- -Goodness, it means murder! The fellow said as much. They will kill -this Englishman and take all that he has got." - -The very thought set the young fellow trembling with excitement. He -walked feverishly up and down the deck, muttering beneath his breath, -and endeavoring to make up his mind to some course of action. For in -a flash he realized a fact which had been slowly dawning upon him for -the last half-hour, a fact which a shrewder youth would have gathered -in an instant. He, a young Englishman, fresh from home and entirely -ignorant of the country and its people, had by chance fallen in with -a gang of desperadoes who were about to attack a fellow countryman of -his and to murder him. By pure chance he had become acquainted with -their plans, and now he alone stood between the victim and his -attackers. Ought he to move in the matter? Why should he? It was -not his affair. This Englishman was an entire stranger to him, and -why should he incur danger for a stranger? - -The thoughts flashed through his brain as he walked feverishly up and -down. Conscience, common sense, his own manhood, told him that he -ought to act, that it was his duty to do something; while fear of the -consequences to himself and his own natural want of resolution held -him back, and kept him answering the calls for action with excuses. -He was in a pitiable condition, and, had he been left to himself, -might have walked the deck for an hour before coming to some -conclusion. However, it happened that a minute later the cabin door -burst open with a bang, and the sailor reeled out on to the deck. -Despite his condition, this ruffian still had sufficient sense about -him to realize that noise might warn the people in the neighboring -boat, and if he had not had that sense, the leader of the band -quickly reminded him. - -"Be silent!" he called out peremptorily. "You will wake everyone -with your clumsiness. Come back to the cabin." - -"Right, shipmate! I jest thought I'd get on deck to look to the -shaver. So there yer are, taking a mouthful of air. Jest you come -along below, youngster." - -The man was suspicious. There was something about this young fellow -that he did not understand, and though a few minutes before he had -been sure that he had gained an eager recruit for the band, for the -stranger's reception of the details of the plot had been all that he -could have wished for, his absence now, his disinclination to drink -with his new comrades, awoke suspicion in the drink-soddened mind of -the sailor. - -"Jest you step below, me hearty," he said huskily; "capt'n's orders -is that all hands keeps under hatches till the time comes." - -"In a minute! I am watching the shore, for I think I see men -moving," was the hasty answer. "Go below yourself, and say that I am -keeping a watch. I will come and tell you if anything happens." - -The answer seemed to satisfy the man, for he reeled back to the cabin -and informed the leader that the young stranger was keeping a watch -on deck. - -"There ain't no harm in that," he growled, feeling that he ought to -support his countryman. "The lad will tell us what's goin'. Leave -him alone." - -The door closed to again as the black-bearded rascal gave a grudging -assent, and once more the youth was alone in the darkness. But the -sudden interruption had had its effect. He saw that at any moment he -might be disturbed again, and that if he did not act swiftly he might -even find himself involved in this foul conspiracy, and obliged to -follow the ruffians. - -"Besides, it is not of myself I have to think," he muttered; "there -is this other Englishman. His life is really in my hands, and I am -going to do something. No more hesitating for me. I am a coward to -have delayed so long already." - -He stood again by the rail for a few seconds, thinking out a plan of -action, and then walked on tiptoe to the stern of the boat. There -was the little twinkling light again, some twenty or thirty yards -astern, a guiding star in the darkness. He stared at it, measuring -the distance between the two vessels, and then, clutching the rail, -leaned over as far as possible. - -"Pretty low in the water," he said. "With an effort I might reach -the rail. Then there are the cables to be thought of. If I cannot -climb aboard her from the riverside I will try to grip one of the -cables. If that is out of the question, I shall get ashore and cross -by the gangway." - -Feverishly he began to cast off his spurs and boots, for the cabin -door might open at any moment. Moreover this young fellow knew -himself and his own nature. Irresolution was his besetting fault, -and many a time in the past had he suffered on that account. This -time he determined there should be more courageous action. He would -not change his mind now, and, so that there should be no opportunity, -he cast his clothing from him as swiftly as he was able, knowing well -that once he was in his shirt sleeves the die was cast; for if the -ruffians in the cabin came upon him then, even their soddened minds -would take in the situation. They would grasp his intentions in an -instant, and would realize that this their latest recruit was about -to swim to the neighboring boat and give warning of their murderous -intentions. Yes, and they would shoot him without mercy, of that he -felt sure. - -"Better die in trying to do a good turn to this other fellow, and my -plain duty, than hang behind and become the companion of ruffians and -murderers," he said. "There go the spurs and boots, and off come the -overalls and coat. Now I'm ready. I want a rope to throw over the -side so as to allow me to enter the water quietly." - -He tiptoed across the deck again, but without success, and it was not -till he had been the complete round of the rail that he came upon a -coil of rope lying in the scuppers. Creeping aft again, he secured -one end to the rail and lowered the other into the water. Then he -took one last look at the cabin door, beneath which there was a long -and narrow streak of light, while from the interior came the murmur -of voices. The young fellow could see in his mind's eye the figures -of the men slouching about the table, the bearded face and cunning, -lowering look of the leader, the unshaven, dirty features of the -sailor, and the dissipated appearance of the gauchos. He could -imagine the reek of smoke and strong tobacco in the stuffy little -place, the tin pannikins and the stone spirit jar. The very memory -of such loathsome companions threw cold water on any fears which he -still might possess, and strengthened his resolution. He gave one -more glance at the streak of light issuing from beneath the door, -looked away at the twinkling glimmer, and stepped on to the rail. A -moment later he was outside it, one hand gripping tightly and the -other feeling for the rope. Then suddenly something else attracted -his attention, and kept him clinging there. There was a commotion -ashore, and a blaze of light came unexpectedly from one of the -saloons, showing that the door had been thrown wide open. Out into -the broad patch of light which streamed from the saloon emerged the -men whom Mr. Blunt had engaged to work on his rancho. They were -shouting and singing, and clinging arm to arm. They rolled from the -doorway, reeled across the street, and then were suddenly blotted out -in the darkness of the night, for someone had closed the door of the -saloon. But still they were there, reeling back towards their boat, -for their shouts and choruses told of their presence. - -"That should wake this Englishman, if anything will," thought the -young fellow clinging to the rail. "Surely the noise they are making -will warn him that trouble is brewing and will put him on his guard. -Shall I go after all?" - -A glance at the dull outline of his clothes lying on the deck a few -inches away told him that there was no turning back, that he must go -on with his part of the undertaking, while, had that been -insufficient to warn him, a second later he had ample assurance that -further stay on the boat would be dangerous alike to him and to the -man who was threatened; for the door of the cabin burst open again, -and the men who had been lounging over the table rushed on deck. -Running to the rails, they stared across the strip of river at the -spot from which the noise came. - -"The fools!" cried their leader. "They will warn the Englishman with -their clatter. They will wake him and spoil our plans." - -"Not if you set to at once," suddenly burst in the sailor, who had -grasped the man's meaning. "Slip the cable now and float down. -Chances are that this Mr. Blunt expected as much when he saw them go -ashore. He'll wake for sure, and he'll wait while they turn in. -Then he'll sleep again, if these fools don't quarrel with him right -away and spoil everything. Best slip the cable now and get aboard -the boat before they arrive." - -He spoke in English, and led the way at once to the bow of the boat. -In a second the others were following, and almost before the young -fellow hanging to the rail could grasp their intentions they were -slacking out the cable with feverish energy, doing their utmost to -reach their victim before the gang of men ashore could upset their -plans. - -It was time to move. If the Englishman aboard the neighboring boat -was to be warned it must be at once. The young fellow glanced back -at the twinkling light again, and at once slid down the rope, -entering the water without so much as a splash. Then he struck out -boldly, and in a few minutes was well away from the vessel. - -"There is still time to give the warning," he thought, as he thrust -the water behind him. "If only I can get aboard before these men I -shall have done something." - -As he made his way through the water he thought of the ruffians -behind him laboring at the cable, and of those ashore. He knew very -well that the first, if they caught sight of his figure, would guess -his object and would fire on him. The fear of such an occurrence -made him long to turn round to look back at the men, and make sure -that he was as yet undiscovered. But that meant delay, and, throwing -aside the fear at once, he went on manfully, his eye fixed upon the -glimmering light, now very much nearer. Not a shout disturbed him, -and even the men ashore seemed to have awakened to the fact that the -noise they had been making would ruin their plans. They were silent -now, and if only the darkness had not hidden them, they could have -been seen creeping down to the landing stage, revolver in hand, ready -to aid their comrades. Then, too, if the sides of the vessel in -which Mr. Blunt and Dudley lay had not been impenetrable to the eye, -this young and gallant fellow would have known that the man upon whom -the attack was to be made lay in his bunk, wrapped in a blanket, -looking uneasily at the door. He was wide awake, as was his -companion, and evidently somewhat upset by the noise which till a -moment before had been coming from the shore. - -"As I thought," he said in low tones. "That is the worst of tying up -to the bank within reach of saloons, and a lesson to employ, whenever -possible, a different stamp of men. Those fellows have been -drinking, and may be quarrelsome. We will not appear if they call to -us. Let us pretend to be asleep, for then there can be no quarrel, -and perhaps they will turn in quietly. Ah, they have become silent! -That's an excellent sign." - -"What's that?" It was Dudley who suddenly sat up and asked the -question, for he had heard a splash close alongside, and the noise -had been repeated. - -"Perhaps a floating log," answered Mr. Blunt. "Nothing to be alarmed -at. Ah, that's one arrival!" - -There was a bang on the deck just above their heads, and a soft -footfall was heard. A moment later Dudley thought he detected a step -on the tiny ladder which led down to the cabin in which they lay. He -listened intently, his finger on the butt of his revolver, and then -started to his feet as a knock sounded on the door. The sudden and -unexpected sound startled them both, and brought Mr. Blunt to a -sitting position. - -"Come in," he called softly, slipping his own weapon from its pouch -and facing the door. "Come in at once!" - -A hand fumbled in the darkness for the latch, the handle turned, and -in a trice the door flew open. For a second the youth who appeared -stood perfectly still, blinking at the lantern. Then, with a quick -movement, the young fellow, who had so bravely swum from the other -vessel, entered the cabin, and swung the door to again. He was -breathless with his exertions, for it had been no easy matter to -climb aboard. Then, too, he was in the highest pitch of excitement, -for he knew that his warning had arrived not an instant too soon. He -stood there, the water streaming from him and forming a rapidly -increasing pool on the floor. He opened his mouth to speak, when -Dudley staggered back a step, looked incredulously at the stranger, -and then uttered a cry of astonishment. - -[Illustration: "DUDLEY LOOKED INCREDULOUSLY AT THE STRANGER, AND THEN -UTTERED A CRY OF ASTONISHMENT"] - -"Joyce! You here! This is strange!" - -"Dudley! Dudley Compton!" - -The recognition was mutual. In spite of Harold Joyce's half-drowned -appearance, Dudley knew him the instant he set eyes on the strange -apparition at the doorway of the cabin, while the lad who had so -bravely swum across to give his warning needed no second view of the -sturdy, bronzed figure standing, revolver in hand, just beneath the -swaying lantern. In a flash he knew that he was face to face with -the old school friend whom he had wronged, the lad whose future had -been darkened by a cloud which he, Harold Joyce, could have dispelled -had he had the courage to confess his crime. It was a moment of -intense interest in both their young lives, and it is not to be -wondered at that, in spite of the urgency of the situation, of the -need for instant action, these two young fellows stared in amazement -at each other as if they were spellbound. Then Harold suddenly found -his tongue. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -AN UNEXPECTED MEETING - -Drenched from head to foot, and standing in a pool of water which -drained constantly from him, Harold Joyce might have been excused -under the extraordinary conditions if he had forgotten his special -mission to the ship on which he had discovered Dudley, for he had -suddenly come face to face with one to whom he owed an explanation, -and whose forgiveness he could hardly hope to gain. But he -remembered the urgency of the position, and, still strong in his -resolve to give his warning of attack, he swung round to the other -figure standing, pistol in hand, before him. - -"You are Mr. Blunt?" he asked. - -"I am, my lad." - -"Then you have not a moment to lose. I came up the river as a -passenger in that other boat which moored up above you. There is a -gang of ruffians aboard, who are friends of the men you engaged, and -who are now returning here. I learned the tale from an English -sailor, who is one of the gang. Quick, sir, they are slacking out -their hawser, and dropping down upon you. They mean to rob and kill -you." - -The words tumbled from him rapidly, while he stepped forward eagerly -and laid his hand on Mr. Blunt's arm. - -"You haven't a moment to spare," he urged. "They are already only a -few yards away, and you must act." - -"The scoundrels! A gang letting their boat down on us so as to get -aboard? And you say that the men we engaged are in the plot? What -is to be done?" - -Mr. Blunt stared in astonishment at Harold, and then swung round to -look at Dudley, as if to ask his help, for the situation was -critical, and though he was a man who had faced many dangers, and was -not lacking in resource, yet this warning had come so suddenly, and -gave such little time for thought, that he was utterly at a loss. As -for Dudley, he could hardly fix his attention on the danger. His -eyes were riveted on Harold Joyce, the last person he had expected to -meet out in these foreign parts, and the only one who could clear his -character. For some months now he had borne the knowledge that he -was looked upon as a thief by his old friends and comrades at home. -The stigma, in spite of Mr. Blunt's kindly belief in him, still -filled his mind with bitterness, and had caused him to register a -solemn vow. Deep down in his mind our hero had decided to work for -his employer, to improve his position in the world, and never to rest -till he had proved to all that he was innocent of theft, that he had -been wrongly accused, and was the victim of another's crime. Was it -wonderful, therefore, that, finding himself suddenly face to face -with the very one whom he knew must be the guilty person--the only -person, in fact, who could clear him of the stigma under which he -suffered, that question filled his mind to the exclusion of all -others? He was helpless! The ruffians might even board the boat and -commence their attack, and any defence he might make would be almost -automatic. However, Joyce was by no means asleep, while Mr. Blunt -had no intention of being taken without a struggle. - -"Dudley," he cried sharply, "we must do something. We shall be -outnumbered, and if we don't make an effort the rascals will murder -all three of us. What are we to do? Quick, lad! Suggest something." - -"The cables, sir," cried Harold, pulling at the handle of the door. -"You are moored alongside the staging, they tell me. Cut the cables -and float out into the stream. Then they will miss you. I've a -knife. It is the only thing we can do to escape them." - -He pulled the door open, while with an exclamation of delight Mr. -Blunt blew out the candle in the lamp and dragged Dudley out on to -the deck. Harold had already gained it and, knife in hand, raced -forward. Going on hands and knees he felt for the cable which moored -the boat for'ard, and, finding it, severed it with a sweep of the -blade. Meanwhile Mr. Blunt had sought for the rope right aft, and -with a slash from his hunting knife cut it in two. By then Dudley -had recovered from his astonishment at what had occurred. With an -effort he banished all thought of the crime for which he was -expelled. Once more he was working in the interests of his employer, -and set about his defence with all his old enthusiasm. He ran into -the bow, where he and Harold stood side by side, listening to the men -aboard the other boat. - -"They are within ten yards, I should say," he whispered to Joyce. -"That should give us just time to get away, unless the mud holds us. -Are we moving?" - -Harold promptly hung over the rail, and stared down at the black -surface of the river. - -"I don't think so," he answered in low tones, coming to Dudley's side -again. "We are on the mud. They will catch us yet." - -"Not if we pole away. There are some poles on deck, I know. Come -along with me, Harold. And, look here, just pitch that plank -overboard." - -They were standing close beside the place where the plank gangway -came in from the shore, and at once Harold seized it and gently drew -it inboard. - -"Better not make a row by throwing it over," he whispered. "The -beggars don't know we've moved yet. Better keep them in ignorance. -Ah, here's a pole!" - -Mr. Blunt joined them at that instant, and, hearing what they were -doing, at once helped them. It happened that there were several long -poles lying along the scuppers, for often enough the river boats got -aground on a mud or sand bank, and then the crew were forced to pole -them off. Seizing three of them, the trio lowered the ends into the -water close to the bow, and pushed with might and main. The boat -moved. She had a good deal of water under her, and the mud just held -the after part of her shallow keel. The bow swung out rapidly, the -poles were shifted, and in a minute the boat was almost broadside on -to the stream. By then the one which was descending upon them was -within four yards, but so busy were the ruffians at her cable that as -yet they had not discovered what was occurring. - -"They will know in a moment," whispered Mr. Blunt, drawing in his -pole. "The ruffians ashore are on the wharf already. You can hear -them now. They are searching for the boat and the gangway, and in a -few seconds one of them will see us out here. Then the whole pack -will shout, and those aboard the vessel just above us will fire. Got -a weapon, sir?" - -"I have nothing," answered Harold promptly. "I left my revolver -behind. I was afraid of the weight." - -"Then here is one, and don't be afraid to use it. Those rascals will -shoot you as if you were a dog. They have no qualms about taking -human life, and if you want to get out of this trouble you must be -just as ready to kill them. Dudley, can we do anything else?" - -"We might keep them from boarding by pushing out one of the poles," -he answered. "If they can get within six feet they will jump aboard, -and then we shall not have a chance. We are swinging round rapidly -now, and at the rate they are coming down they will strike our stern, -I fancy. I'll go over there with this pole, and push them away if -possible." - -"While I and this young gentleman shoot down those who wish to pay us -a visit. Ah, there they are! The dogs are barking with a vengeance. -Come along with me, sir, and remember to keep below the rail. Those -fellows over there on the wharf might get your figure against a white -patch in the sky, and they are wonderful shots. Don't show more than -you can help, and when you shoot, shoot quickly, and duck again." - -Harold Joyce gripped the revolver which had been handed to him, and -followed Mr. Blunt along the deck to the spot where Dudley had -already taken up his station with the pole. It was a new experience -to him to find himself in actual danger of his life, but up to this -moment he had had no opportunity of considering the situation. The -fact of finding himself aboard a vessel containing a gang of -cut-throats had helped not a little to make up his mind to accept the -risk of swimming to the other vessel, though to do him justice he was -eager to play a man's game in the matter, and do what was his obvious -duty. But even then, once his decision was made, and he had slid -into the river, the need for exertion and for caution had filled his -thoughts, so that he was able to give little attention to the subject -of personal danger, though, to be sure, he felt extremely -uncomfortable when he remembered the revolvers which the gang had so -openly displayed, and the fact that a bullet might soon be hissing -after him. Now, however, as he crouched behind the rail of the ship -and watched the other boat slowly approaching, he had a moment or two -to realize his position, and the fact that the gang he had so lately -left would stop at nothing. He could see that if they could only -board the ship upon which he crouched, he and his two companions -would certainly be shot. Even if the gang were unsuccessful in -reaching the vessel, it was certain that bullets would be flying, -and, supposing one came his way, supposing he was killed! - -The thought made him shudder. He shivered from head to foot, and for -one brief second felt inclined to dive into the cabin and hide his -head there in the farthest corner. But he conquered the impulse. He -looked at the dark figure crouching beside him, and heard Mr. Blunt's -voice. - -"Just remember what I said, lad," he whispered. "Keep down and shoot -quickly. And, my lad, now that I have a second, let me thank you for -your warning. You risked much, and have placed yourself in a -position of great danger. I shall hope to be able, later, to thank -you for behaving like a gallant gentleman." - -The words came in the nick of time. Harold Joyce, the lad who had -been noted at school for frivolity, for indecision, for shirking -games in which personal injury might be incurred, heard himself -described as a gallant gentleman. Remembering what despicable -courage he had once displayed, when he allowed his old comrade to be -branded as a thief, he winced at the words. Then he lifted his head, -for this young fellow had still the makings of an honorable man in -him. He had been undecided once. He had shown the most lamentable -want of courage. But that was in the past. He, too, had suffered, -and had learnt his lesson. Long ago he had made up his mind never to -rest till he had set the matter of Dudley's expulsion right. He had -declared his guilt before the whole school, so that our hero's name -was now as bright there as ever. And now he had come out to South -America with one solitary and praiseworthy object. He had taken -advantage of the liberal allowance made by his father to come in -search of Dudley, to meet him face to face, and tell him what had -happened. Then, if possible, he would obtain his forgiveness. -Indeed, Harold Joyce's conscience had done much for his wavering -resolution already. He had shown to all at home an honest and steady -intention to reform, and was he going at this moment to show his old -indecision under the very eyes of the one who had suffered for his -fault in the past? Never! The lad closed his teeth firmly, gripped -his revolver, and swore beneath his breath to fight hard for his old -friend, to do something more than he had already accomplished that -night, so as to show him that Harold Joyce had something good left in -him yet. - -"What if I am killed?" he thought. "Then Dudley will never know what -has happened. He will not know that he is cleared, and why I have -come out here. There is time to tell him now. We are swinging fast, -and that boat is still ten feet away. I'll do it." - -He crept a pace nearer to our hero and touched his leg. - -"Dudley!" he called softly. "Dudley, I want to say something now -before the row begins. I am a sneak and a coward. I stole the -money, and came out here to tell you so. I confessed to the old -head, and to the whole school, and could not rest till I had told you -all that had happened. That's all, only I'm ashamed of myself. I -acted like a cad and a blackguard." - -There was silence for some few seconds, a tense silence, aboard their -boat, while from the wharf came the patter of feet on the woodwork, -and the call of one of the men to those aboard the vessel now so -close to Dudley and his friends. Then came an answering hail, and -the noise made by a man stumbling over a coil of rope. In a minute, -in less time than that perhaps, the alarm would be sounded, and the -gang of ruffians would know that their expected victims were warned -of their intentions and were already making efforts to escape. It -was, in fact, hardly the moment for a confession, and yet who can -wonder that Joyce made it? The subject of the theft filled his mind -as much as it did Dudley's. Remorse had been eating at his heart for -many weeks past, and now he felt desperate. He was so near to the -object for which he had struggled. He had come to South America for -one purpose, and could not bear to think that now, at the last -instant, he might lose all. If only he could tell Dudley his tale, -and have his answer, he felt that nothing else mattered, not even a -bullet, for he knew now that he could die happily once he had done -this duty to his old comrade. His hand tightened on our hero's leg -convulsively, while Mr. Blunt coughed huskily. - -As for Dudley, he could hardly believe his ears. He knew well, had -known all along, that Harold Joyce was guilty, but even in his most -sanguine moments he had never expected to be so completely cleared. -And now, when he heard that the head and every boy at the school knew -that he was innocent, when he heard that Harold had confessed all, -and not content with that had followed him to South America there to -tell him what he had done, why it was almost too much! The leg which -Joyce gripped trembled and shook. Dudley could not speak for an -instant, but he knew what his old comrade must be suffering, and at -once, with a magnanimity which did his heart good, he stretched down, -took the hand clasping his leg, and gripped it eagerly. Then he was -able to steady himself. - -"All right, old fellow!" he said. "I can't thank you now, but will -do so later. You have lifted a load from my mind." - -"Then you forgive me, Dudley? There is nothing to thank me for. I -have done only bare justice to you." - -"With all my heart," came the swift answer. "You have made up for -all by behaving like a decent fellow." - -"Hear, hear! Hear, hear!" came from Mr. Blunt. - -A second later a shout came across the water, for the man who had -hailed his comrades on the boat had suddenly caught sight of the -other one swinging out into the stream. At first he and his comrades -had searched vainly for her in the darkness, and had come very near -to tumbling into the river in their efforts to find the gangway. -Then, little by little, it had dawned on their sluggish minds that -they were beaten, that the man whose money they hoped to take was -wide awake, and was already slipping from their clutches. They had -promised themselves to commence their work in the Entre Rios country -by a successful coup on the way up the Paraná River, and the man who -was responsible for their being brought together had specially urged -them to make Mr. Blunt their first victim. Perhaps he had some -special reason, but in any case the grazier who occupied the boat now -swinging away from the wharf, the man whose employment they had so -cunningly accepted, was escaping, and once their minds had grasped -that fact they set up such a din that those aboard the other vessel -were quickly informed of what was happening. The tall, black-bearded -Italian ruffian at their head grasped the meaning of those shouts at -once, and came bounding along the deck, striking heavily against a -yard in the darkness. With a growl he picked himself up, for the -collision had thrown him to the deck, and ran to the stern. - -"Cut the rope," he shouted to his men. "Cut it, and come here with -me. We are close to them, and in a moment can get on board. It is -that English youth who has cheated us, I expect, and, if that is so, -the sailor shall have small mercy. Ah, I see them!" - -He stood to his full height against the stern rail of the river boat, -and peered into the darkness. He could see the big hull of the other -boat looming across the river some few feet away, and as he watched -his eye suddenly lit on Dudley, standing pole in hand ready to push -the attacking vessel away. The rascal did not hesitate, and in an -instant his hand went to the revolver which was tucked into a deep -pocket on his thigh. Barely lifting it from that position he pulled -the trigger and sent a ball flying through the darkness. Indeed it -was the darkness alone which saved Dudley, for the ruffian who had -drawn trigger was an expert shot with the revolver and seldom missed. -However, it was but a dull outline which he had caught of Dudley, and -his muzzle was directed just a shade too much to one side. The -bullet whizzed past his head, missing it by little more than an inch, -and, flying along the deck, buried itself in the mast, giving a loud -and ominous thud as it did so. An instant later Mr. Blunt rose to -his feet, a spout of flame shot from his weapon, lighting up the -immediate surroundings for one brief instant, and then he was down -again, listening eagerly, and waiting for another opportunity, while -he dragged at Dudley's clothing. - -"Get down," he said sharply. "I saw what was happening by the flash. -We are travelling as fast as they are. Probably faster, for we are -almost broadside on, and the stream has more hold on us. Did I hit?" - -A sharp cry had followed his shot, showing that in all probability it -had hit the mark, but still as Dudley looked over the rail he could -see the tall figure of the rascal who had fired at him. The man -stood stock-still, making no effort to retaliate, and if only he had -been nearer, and the night not so intensely dark, they would have -seen that he was gripping the rail convulsively. For the bullet -which Mr. Blunt had fired had struck the ruffian hard, so hard, in -fact, that it was a wonder that the man did not fall to the deck at -once. But he was one of those individuals possessed of enormous -resolution and courage. He knew that he was badly hit at once. He -felt as if his last moment had come, and yet he would not give in. -He clung to the rail and swayed backward and forward giddily. He -endeavored to turn and call to his followers, but the effort nearly -brought him to the deck. Then he stared at Dudley again, made a -frantic attempt to pick up the weapon which had dropped at his feet, -and then, of a sudden, collapsed on to the rail of the ship. There -was a loud crash as the flimsy rail gave way, and then a dull splash. -The leader of the gang of ruffians had met his end in the waters of -the River Paraná. - -"One rascal the less," said Mr. Blunt coolly, lifting his head to -look over the rail. "He at least will not trouble us again." - -"Then we may escape altogether," broke in Harold. "That man was the -ringleader of the gang. He was an Italian, and the sailor told me -that he had been appointed leader by some friend who had in -particular selected you for the first attack." - -"Ah! Is that so? Tell me more, lad." - -"There is little to tell you," said Harold in a whisper, as he -watched the following boat. "It seems that the men aboard, and those -whom you hired, had formed themselves into a gang some four weeks -ago, with the intention of going up on to the pampas and robbing the -ranchers." - -"Robbing! That is a mild term. Shooting them is more correct." - -Mr. Blunt spoke very deliberately and coolly. There was not a tremor -in his voice, and he seemed to be absolutely unaffected by the -excitement of the moment. Indeed he might have forgotten the very -existence of the gang of ruffians for all that his listeners could -tell. Dudley, as he watched the pursuers, secretly admired the -courage of this employer of his. He had never before seen him -actually in such a dilemma, but he had long ago come to the -conclusion that Mr. Blunt was just the man to go through an -engagement without showing a trace of fear or even of excitement. -And now his opinion of the man was proved to be correct. Mr. Blunt -was questioning Harold Joyce in cool, matter-of-fact tones which -showed his calmness and courage. - -"Yes, it would appear that that is their intention," said Harold, -still in the same low tones. "From what the sailor told me they -intended to pay a round of visits, commencing with your estancia, for -you are nearest to the Indians, and, so far as I could gather, there -seemed to be some special reason why you should be made a victim." - -"That is right, lad. There is a reason. Well do I know it. But go -on. There is time, for if I am not mistaken we are increasing our -distance from those rascals every second. I cannot understand why -they do not pack themselves into the stern and blaze at us with their -weapons. But, go on, lad." - -"Well it happened that, just as their arrangements were complete, you -came down the river to Buenos Ayres. They have friends who tell them -of any unusual occurrence, and this was reported to them. Everything -fell out as they wanted. You required men. They had men to spare, -and by putting a portion of their gang on your boat made more sure of -getting your money. That is all I know. I thought it was high time -to put a spoke in their wheel." - -"And so you swum across to warn an absolute stranger. Thanks, lad, -it was gallant conduct. But we will speak of that later. For the -moment we have yet to deal with these rascals. To think that this is -another of their organized bands, and that that old feud still lives, -and that those wretches still desire to murder me. Well, well, we -shall see. There is still a good deal of life and tenacity left in -the old dog. How are matters now, Dudley?" - -"We are drawing away. The current seems to have got us in its grip, -and we are moving finely. But I cannot make out what those fellows -are doing. As soon as the leader had gone overboard I heard a shout, -and I think it must have been this sailor whom Harold mentions. Then -the men who were running aft stopped, and since that I have seen -nothing of them, but can hear them talking." - -"They are up to some clever trick, I have no doubt," said Mr. Blunt -decisively. "The rascals will not let us slip without an effort. -Listen to those ruffians ashore." - -They were bellowing loudly to their comrades on the boat, and, if -Dudley and his two friends could have seen them, were for the most -part collected at the very edge of the wharf, where they stood -unsteadily, peering out into the darkness, and calling loudly that -they would follow out on to the stream as soon as a boat could be -found. Nor was it long before one of their number was successful in -his search. He lit upon a boat at the end of the wharf, and, -paddling it beneath his friends, called to them to descend--a -movement which some of them carried out with such carelessness that -the bark was almost upset. Then they pushed out on to the river, -and, taking up their paddles, rowed as well as they were able in the -direction of their friends. Meanwhile the latter had not been idle. -The ominous quiet aboard their boat was followed by a burst of -cheering, and then by the appearance of a couple of figures in the -stern. One was the sailor, and at once he took possession of the -helm. - -"She'll steer within the minute," he called out huskily. "Get those -poles over her bows and push her round. Skurry, lads, or we'll be -too late!" - -"The rascals! They have hoisted sail, and will be able to make rings -round us," cried Mr. Blunt. "I fear that they have now an enormous -advantage." - -That this was the case could not be denied, for as the trio looked -over the rail at the banks of the river, occasionally to be seen -dimly, they found that they themselves were floating slowly on the -current, swinging round and round, while within but a few yards of -them, and quickly coming under sail, was the pursuing boat, on the -rails of which hung the gang of outlaws, ready to commence the attack -at the very first moment. In rear of them was a river craft manned -by more of the gang, who were pulling lustily so as to come up in -time to take their share in the unequal contest. The situation was -indeed critical again, and there is little wonder that the trio -aboard the drifting craft found it hard to decide how to act under -the circumstances, and looked about them desperately for a way of -escape. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -IN A TIGHT CORNER - -"We are cornered, I fear," said Mr. Blunt as soon as he had fully -realized what was happening, and that the enemy were now following -swiftly, their big river boat under sail, and part of their gang in a -craft which they propelled with oars, "unless we also could hoist a -little canvas. But I fear that that is out of the question, for the -sail is a big one." - -Then they went to the mast, to find the yard and sail extremely -heavy, while in the darkness it was almost impossible to find the -hoisting gear. However, the knowledge that something must be done if -they wished to escape spurred them on to make an effort, and after a -little fumbling in the dark they managed to hoist a few feet of the -sail, and even to get some way on the boat. - -"Do as they did," sang out Mr. Blunt. "Push her head round, while I -go to the tiller. Once we are under way, stand ready with one of the -poles to push them off if they get too near. One can use the pole -while the other stands over him with his revolver. And remember to -shoot swiftly. The man who can draw trigger first on occasions like -this stands the best chance of coming alive out of the struggle. Ah, -I see them again! I wish this boat would swing a little more -quickly." - -There was a note of anxiety in his voice, for the minutes were -passing rapidly, and though their own sail had now been hoisted for -quite two minutes the boat had not yet swung round with her bow down -stream. As for the enemy, the vessel on which they were was already -well under way; but she still had to make up the distance which she -had previously lost, and which had steadily increased as the stream -bore Dudley and his friends along. For a time she had been lost to -view in the darkness, and only the shouts of the rascals on her deck -showed where she was, while the answering calls of the gang in the -small boat, and the splash of their paddles, told that they too were -already dangerously near. Dudley stood in the stern of the boat -listening intently to the splashes and the calls, and then leaving -his comrades for a moment went carefully along the deck on hands and -knees, searching for something with his fingers. - -"If that small boat comes alongside she will be more difficult to -deal with than the other," he thought. "Those rascals will hang on -till some are on board, and we shall be kept so busy that we shall -not be able to deal with their friends. I remember a coil of rope -which lay amongst our stores. I fancy it is heavy enough for my -purpose." - -The numerous articles which Mr. Blunt had purchased in Buenos Ayres -had been loaded into the hold of the vessel, and some had also been -placed a little forward of the mast. There were many coils of rope -and wire in these stores, and at this moment Dudley thought of them. -He soon reached the spot where he remembered he had seen them placed, -and fumbled in the darkness with his fingers till he lit upon one of -the coils of rope. It was closely wound, and consisted of inch -cable, which was securely lashed into a coil. Standing over it, he -lifted it to his shoulder with an effort and bore it aft, staggering -under the weight. A second or more later he had tumbled it on to the -deck with a bang. - -"For the gentlemen in the small boat if they happen to wish to pay us -a visit," he said significantly. "If I can make a good shot with -this coil I think there will be little boat left. Now for the other -vessel. Is she in sight?" - -"In sight, and almost within striking distance," answered Harold -promptly, for he had sprung on to the rail of the ship and had been -peering eagerly into the darkness. "She is coming up on our left. -Look there! You can see a big black mass, fifteen feet behind us, -perhaps." - -The report was only too true, and before long Dudley himself could -see the bow of the vessel, and even thought he detected a couple of -figures standing there. If he had had any doubt, their sudden calls -to their comrades proved their presence beyond contradiction. -Indeed, two of the gaucho ruffians were standing as far forward as -they could get, and as Dudley watched them they called loudly, their -shouts bringing their comrades running along the deck to join them. - -"Within a little way, comrades," said one of the rascals, as he drew -his weapon, "and if this darkness does not make a fool of me I can -see one of the fellows at the tiller. This will soon show if it is a -man or a shadow. I'll wager that I make a hit." - -He coolly presented his revolver at the figure of Mr. Blunt, which -could be dimly seen at that distance, and he pulled the trigger -gently. There was a loud report at once, a report which went echoing -down the river, and brought a cheer from the men rowing the smaller -boat. A spout of flame shot from the muzzle, and a ball hissed -across the narrow space, missed Mr. Blunt by the smallest interval, -and, flying on, struck Harold Joyce on the tip of the shoulder, -penetrating the muscle and emerging on the other side. A sharp cry -escaped the lad, which was drowned instantly by the report of -Dudley's weapon, and by a rattling volley which came from the -pursuers, for the flash had lit up the scene and shown the three -figures standing in the stern of the boat which they were following. -However, their bullets flew wide of the mark, while the flash which -had enabled them to fire proved of advantage to Dudley and his -friends also. Dudley had been watching the dim figures aboard the -pursuing boat, and hardly had the report of the first pistol shot -died down when his own weapon cracked sharply, and the man who had -fired dropped like a stone, a bullet having struck him in the very -centre of the forehead. - -"Two to us and one to them, I think," said Mr. Blunt cheerily. "That -was a quick shot, Dudley, and will teach them caution perhaps. Now, -my lad, I think you were hit. Not badly I hope." - -"It is nothing, sir," came the ready answer, for once he had -recovered from the first shock of the wound Harold Joyce had -determined to make little of it. His old fears were forgotten and to -tell the truth the lad was rather enjoying this brush with his late -companions. There was now no thought of danger, only a feeling of -huge relief, for had he not unburdened himself, and obtained the -forgiveness of his old comrade? And with that feeling of relief was -a curious and altogether novel sense of elation. He felt wonderfully -cool and steady, and seeing that Dudley and Mr. Blunt were precisely -the same, he took heart from that and vowed quietly to himself that -if he came out of this his first engagement alive he would also -emerge from it with credit to himself. And then, to think what joy -it would be to him, to Harold Joyce, to know that he had done well, -to feel that he had acted a man's part, had behaved like a man, he -who till a few minutes before had hardly dared look an honest fellow -in the face. He had not forgotten his old behavior, his despicable -crime, and the cowardice and treachery to a friend which he had -shown. He would never forget that as long as he lived perhaps, for -it would help him to make amends, to live in the future so that no -one could point the finger of scorn at him. Now was his opportunity, -and he seized upon it eagerly. - -"Just a little blow on the shoulder, sir," he said easily. "It is -merely a pinprick, and only reminds me that they have revolvers. I -owe them something, and mean to repay it. I'll try a shot." - -Up till then he had not drawn trigger, but now he coolly stepped on -to the rail again, peered at the black shape surging up astern, and -then took a snap shot, sending a leaden messenger crashing into the -middle of the group of rascals, and bringing a shout of pain from one -of them. A second later Mr. Blunt had dragged him down under the -rail again. - -"Number three!" he said with an exclamation of pleasure. "You are -doing well, Joyce. But you must not be foolhardy. Remember that the -flash of your pistol gives them a chance, for it shows up your -figure. They missed you by the purest chance." - -Indeed the flash of his weapon had been the signal for another -rattling volley from the enemy, the bullets singing over the heads of -the trio, and sweeping away into the space beyond. As for the man -who had been struck, he went crawling aft on hands and knees, -groaning as he went. - -"Within ten feet I should say," said Dudley suddenly, "and the fellow -who is steering the vessel is sweeping her bow over towards us. It -is nearly time to put out our pole. What are we to do supposing they -grapple with us and get aboard?" - -It was a difficult question to decide, and for some few seconds there -was silence while the three peered away astern at the pursuers, who -were steadily coming up, while Mr. Blunt cast an anxious glance -ahead. The boat which he steered was now heading directly down -stream, and had increased her pace. But she was showing only a -little canvas, while the enemy had their sail hoisted to its full -height. That the gang of ruffians would overhaul them was perfectly -clear; within five minutes they would be surging alongside, with -their rail grating against that of the vessel which they were -pursuing. - -"It is hard to say what we ought to do," he answered slowly. "They -are sure to come up with us, and equally sure to lash their rail to -ours. They know that we are here, and will come tumbling aboard and -make a rush into the stern. Let us consider how many we shall have -to meet." - -"That is soon answered," spoke out Harold boldly. "We have hit -three. Six are left. Just two to one. Why not change our places, -sir? If we crept forward as they came alongside, they would find the -stern vacated when they climbed aboard." - -"But they would find us in the end," interrupted Dudley. "Why not -try another trick? We can creep forward, as Harold suggests, and -then get aboard their boat as they board us. A cut with a knife then -would alter matters. We should be able to sail away, and----" - -"A pretty plan, and one which we will carry out if we have the -chance," cried Mr. Blunt. "It is quite certain that if we stay here -they will prove too strong for us. We must make the utmost use of -the darkness, and it is agreed therefore that we go forward, conceal -ourselves under the rail, and as soon as they are on board clamber -across to their deck and cut the ropes, for they are sure to lash the -two craft together. I will make my way forward, while you will take -the rope aft, Dudley. That is agreed. Then I think we will take up -our places at once. They are already very near, and I reckon that -within a minute they will be alongside. Slip off one by one. Joyce, -lead the way please, and remember, there must be silence. We slip -aboard, cut the lashings, and make off. I will take the tiller." - -It was high time indeed that they should make some arrangement, for, -as Mr. Blunt had said, the enemy were even then within striking -distance. The ruffianly sailor who controlled the vessel on which -the gang were pursuing was a man who knew his business and had -steered a course on many an occasion. More than that, the fellow had -the eyes of a cat, for he seemed to be able to make out the outline -of the boat ahead in spite of the darkness, and indeed, by sitting on -the deck, and getting his head as low as possible, had for some while -been able to discern the mast of the fugitive boat against the stars -above. He knew now that his bow was in a line with the stern of the -other vessel, and with the knowledge that he was overhauling her very -rapidly he moved his tiller just a little and sent his own craft -swirling closer, so that her rail would touch that of the one in -front. - -"In a minute, comrades!" he sang out in execrable Portuguese. "I am -running alongside. One of you take a rope forward and lash the rails -as soon as they meet. I will see to the job being done aft here." - -A call told him that his comrades understood, and once more the -ruffian put his helm over. The ships touched a moment or two later, -and by then the bow of the pursuer was half-way along the side of the -boat on which Dudley and his friends crouched. A minute later the -boats were sailing on a dead level, and the time had come to lash -them together. The sailor promptly left his tiller, and, snatching a -length of rope which he had placed at his feet, sprang at the rail, -while those who were forward carried out their part of the task as -rapidly as possible. A shout told that they were ready, and within -an instant the sailor had left the stern and had run forward to meet -them. - -"We have them at last, the dogs," he shouted. "They were in the -stern. Follow! Cut the lubbers to pieces." - -He led the way on to the deck of the other vessel, and close behind -him came his comrades, all revolver in hand, eager to be the first to -shoot down the three who had stood in the stern, and who had shot -their leader and two others of their number. They went rushing along -the deck, the sailor emptying his weapon as he ran, for he took the -gaunt outline of the mast for one of the men he sought. - -"Our time to move," whispered Mr. Blunt. "Remember, I go forward, -while Dudley takes the rope aft. I'll be with you in a moment." - -As silent as ghosts, and as active as cats, the three slipped over -the rails on to the other vessel, where Mr. Blunt went on hands and -knees and with wonderful agility slid and scrambled along the deck. -As for Dudley, he ran aft, keeping his hand all the while on the -rail, and did not stop till it had struck upon the rope which the -sailor had placed in position. With a slash he severed it, and then -went to the tiller, there to wait for his leader. As for Harold -Joyce, he stood on the deck opposite the point where he had clambered -aboard, and, crouching under the shelter of the rail, waited, -prepared to protect Mr. Blunt with his revolver. - -Meanwhile those who had swarmed aboard the boat which they had been -so feverishly following were at a loss to understand what had -happened. - -The sailor had quickly discovered that he had made an error in firing -at the mast, and as by then he was within sight of the stern, he came -to a sudden halt, and sheltered his body behind the big mass of -timber. - -"Shoot when you see them," he shouted. "They must be lying on the -deck. Give them a volley, comrades." - -It was one of the gauchos who made the gang aware of the fact that -the stern was empty. He peered into the darkness for a moment, and -then rushed aft till he came to the rail, his revolver held in -readiness in case his eyes should have deceived him. - -"Not here!" he called angrily. "This is where we saw them when the -last shot was fired. They must have gone forward, or have dived into -the cabin. After them! We will riddle them with bullets once we -come upon them. Ah, peste take the man who fired then! Be careful -with your weapons." - -He turned savagely upon one of the gang, who, thinking he saw a -figure beside the rail a little for'ard of the stern drew trigger on -it, sending a bullet dangerously near his comrade. Then, joining the -sailor, this gaucho led the way forward, this time at a slower pace, -searching every foot of the deck. - -"Empty!" exclaimed the sailor with an oath. "Then they have gone -into the cabin, and we shall have a pretty business to get them out. -What's best to be done?" - -He turned on those who followed him, forgetful of the fact that none -knew English. But they seemed to guess at his meaning, for the -gaucho promptly led the way back to the cabin. - -"An ugly place to search," he admitted as he made out the outline of -the roof of the saloon which Dudley and Mr. Blunt had occupied, and -came to a halt at the short flight of stairs leading down to it. "A -man does not care to dive into a dark hole like that and be shot down -like a dog. The fellows are skulking behind the door, and will see -us before we can catch sight of them. What's to be done? Coop them -up below and wait till morning seems the best way out of the -difficulty." - -"And have a hundred busybodies asking what the noise is about, and -why we are so carefully shooting white men on the river," shouted the -man at his elbow, pushing him aside indignantly. "What has to be -done must be done now. I'm going into the cabin." - -As if to let the occupants of the tiny place know that he was coming, -the ruffian emptied four of the cartridges in his revolver into the -door of the cabin, sending the bullets ripping through the wood, and -thudding heavily against the bulkhead beyond. Then, quickly -following his messengers, he leaped to the bottom of the stairway and -burst into the saloon. - -"Empty!" he shouted a moment or two later. "Not a soul in here. -Where are the pretty birds?" - -Where indeed? The members of the gang raced up and down the deck, -searching vainly for the men they wanted, and never even suspecting -the trick which had been played upon them. It was not till they had -felt in every corner, and come very near to shooting one another in -the confusion caused by their haste and the darkness, that it slowly -dawned upon their minds that the birds had flown. Then they looked -for the ship on which they had taken passage, and which they had -slipped from her moorings not ten minutes before, and were struck -dumb with astonishment to find that she was already some ten feet -from them, and hardly discernible in the darkness. Indeed it is -probable that they would not even now have suspected what had really -happened had it not been for a sudden commotion close at hand. They -had entirely forgotten the noisy comrades who had gone ashore, and -who had since embarked on a small boat. Even Mr. Blunt and his two -stanch young friends had allowed the existence of this other gang to -slip their memory, for their hands were very full. They had carried -out their scheme in absolute silence and with wonderful celerity. -They had severed the ropes, and then with a whispered word to one -another had placed themselves along the rail of the captured vessel, -and, keeping as low as possible, had pushed the two boats apart. Not -till then had Mr. Blunt taken his station at the tiller. He looked -aloft, felt the river vessel cant as the wind filled her sail, and -then pushed at his tiller. - -"In a moment we shall have said good-by," he whispered. "Listen to -the rascals! They will be angry when we are gone. Ah! Those other -fellows! They are just beside us." - -Both heard the splash of oars, and then the loud calls of the men in -the rowing boat. They had come up with their comrades, as they -thought, and when Dudley looked over the stern rail there they were, -alongside, and getting to their feet so as to climb aboard. He -lifted his revolver and was on the point of firing when Mr. Blunt -arrested the shot. - -"Don't shoot," he whispered swiftly. "They do not know what has -happened, and their fellows aboard our boat are also in ignorance. -Get along the deck and find something heavy, like the coil you -prepared before." - -A word was enough, and within a second Dudley was running along the -deck, bent double as he went. And fortunate it was for him and his -friends that he was one of those lads who take in his surroundings -somewhat more thoroughly perhaps than do average people. Everything -that was novel interested him, and a ship had always been a -fascinating subject to Dudley. He had made himself acquainted with -every corner and hole of the river boat on which he and his employer -had sailed from Buenos Ayres, as well as that upon which they had -descended the river, and in both cases he had noted the fact that the -vessels carried a spare anchor hooked to the rail in the bow. The -memory of that spare anchor flashed across his mind, and at once he -ran up into the bow, making no attempt to search for another object -on the way. It was there. His fingers gripped the heavy piece of -metal, and with a jerk he hoisted it from the grips which held it in -place. Then he returned at a run, arriving breathless at the stern. - -"That should do," said Mr. Blunt. "Take the tiller, and look out for -shots. I'll do my best to teach those employees of mine a little -lesson in honesty. Perhaps in future they will not take service with -a man with the express intention of robbing and murdering him." - -He leaned over the rail, the anchor poised over his shoulder, and -glanced down at the men in the boat alongside. They were calling -angrily to one another, for their evening ashore, and the darkness of -the night, had led to no little confusion. Each man wished to be the -first to climb aboard the vessel, while none were directed to cling -to the rail. And in consequence it happened that no sooner did the -majority of them rise to their feet than the boat slipped away from -the side of the one they wished to board, and they were forced to -paddle again to come up with her. - -"Keep quiet there!" shouted one of their number. "Hold on there in -the bow, while I get a grip here. Then clamber aboard one by one. -Hi, comrade, throw us a rope!" - -He had caught sight of Mr. Blunt's figure, and stood up to catch the -expected rope. But it was a very different missile which descended -at his feet. Mr. Blunt was not the man to muddle an affair like this -by missing his aim. He leaned well over the rail, poised the anchor -above his head, and then threw it down into the boat with all the -force of which he was capable. There was a sickening thump as it -struck one of the rascals, and this was followed instantly by the -crash of splintering woodwork, and then by a babel of sounds, oaths, -threats, and cries of fear. A shot was fired, while one of the more -active of the men, realizing what had happened, made a desperate leap -at the rail, and hung to it for a moment. But it was for only a -brief moment, for again a pistol sounded, the sharp report drowning -the shouts of the men below. The man dropped into the water like a -stone, leaving Mr. Blunt staring down at the place which his figure -had occupied. Then it was the turn of the rascals aboard the other -boat. - -"Let them shout," said Mr. Blunt calmly. "They are beaten, -hopelessly beaten, for we have the legs of them now. Keep down, -lads, for it would be sad to be hit now that the affair is almost -over. That is, over for us. For these rascals, I promise you and -them that it is by no means over. I will probe this matter to the -bottom. Whatever it costs I will discover who is the ringleader, the -scoundrel who sits quietly down at Montevideo and incites men to make -an attack upon me, and I will do my utmost to punish these brigands -for their work to-night. Ah, there go the pistols! Shoot till you -are tired, my friends." - -A furious volley came from the men aboard the boat which Dudley and -his friends had so recently left, and for a minute the shooting -continued till darkness and the increasing interval between the -vessels had separated the combatants. As for those who had manned -the smaller boat, into which the anchor had been cast, their shouts -were soon drowned by the river. For the heavy piece of iron had -beaten a hole in the bottom of the craft, and in a little while she -had filled to the gunwale. Indeed, while those aboard the ship now -being left behind were emptying their revolvers, their luckless -comrades were struggling for life in the water. More than one of the -wretches sank almost at once, while but two managed to reach the -safety of the bank and scramble ashore. The tables had been turned, -in fact. The rascally attackers, who had been in such great force, -and who had hoped to take advantage of the Englishman, and secure his -money, had been badly beaten. They had lost many from their gang, -and, worse perhaps for those who remained--for such desperadoes think -little of losses,--they had failed in their enterprise. - -The cheer which the trio aboard the escaping vessel gave as they -sailed away must have been maddening to the ruffians. - -"That will tell them that we are alive and well," said Mr. Blunt. -"Later we will do more to prove the fact. And now that we are under -way, and have some breath to spare, let me say how grateful I am to -this young gentleman. Shake hands, Mr. Joyce! Your gallantry has -saved our lives. Dudley Compton and I are your debtors." - -Each in turn took the blushing Harold by the hand and gripped his -fingers warmly. This was his reward for acting the man, and for the -resolution and courage which he had shown in the matter. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -BACK TO THE RANCHO - -Great indeed was the happiness of the trio who had made such an -eventful escape from the gang who had attacked them. As they stood -in the stern of their captured vessel, listening for a time to the -shouts of rage which followed them, and the occasional pistol shots -which echoed down the river, each of the three was deeply grateful -for what had been a most lucky escape, and Dudley and Mr. Blunt in -particular felt that they were specially fortunate. - -"We can never hope for such luck again," said Mr. Blunt, as he stood, -tiller in hand. "Those rascals would have murdered us as we lay in -the cabin had it not been for the warning we received. Come, Mr. -Joyce, tell us the whole tale again, and how it came about that you -were in this country, and took passage with those men." - -Thus encouraged to speak out, Harold sat on the edge of the rail, and -for some ten minutes described all that had happened. Nor did he -neglect to commence from the very beginning, for as yet his story had -come to the ears of his two listeners in scraps only, interrupted by -the shouts of the enemy. Manfully, therefore, with no attempt to -gloss over the painful incident which had been the commencement of -all his troubles, and of Dudley's, he told how he had stood aside and -seen Dudley suffer, how remorse had promptly attacked him, and how he -had made a clean breast of his fault at home, and then, with the -consent and encouragement of his father and mother, had come out to -Montevideo to find Dudley. His listeners knew in what manner the -strange meeting had been brought about, but they were not aware of -the fact that Harold had arrived in Montevideo to hear that Mr. -Bradshaw, to whom Dudley had been sent out, was dead, and that there -was no trace of the lad he sought; he had disappeared. - -Those were days when mails travelled from South America often enough -by sailing vessels, for there were very few steamers, and it happened -that the letter which Dudley had written on his arrival in the -country, to his guardian, had reached home after Harold had set out. -Thus it was that the lad found himself seriously embarrassed at the -first stage of his journey. - -"I could hear nothing of Dudley," he said, "and so, after idling for -a few days, I came, on the advice of a rancher, up into this -district. It was a piece of pure bad luck taking passage with such a -gang." - -"Your pardon! It was a piece of amazing good fortune," contradicted -Mr. Blunt. "For us, I mean, of course; for, lad, had you not come up -with those fellows, had that rascally English sailor not been one of -them, and, above all, had you not had the courage and resolution to -do as you did, your old comrade and I would not be here now. No, no -more, Harold! Dudley and I will listen to no more from you. We know -the whole story, and it is clear to us what has happened. Lad, there -are many people who get out of line, who do mean and contemptible -tricks. I am not attempting to excuse your faults, let me tell you, -but, as I say, many people sin, and go on sinning. You have learned -a lesson from this fault. You have turned over a new leaf, and as a -man who prides himself on his knowledge of human nature, I say -definitely, without fear of contradiction, that the lad who can make -up for his fault as you have done, who can face the angry friends of -the late captain of the school, wrongfully accused, who can declare -his own guilt to his parents, and then, not content, can follow out -here, covering so many miles, with the one purpose of meeting that -old friend and asking his forgiveness, is one who has good in him. -You have behaved nobly, Harold. From this moment Dudley and I are -your fast friends. We will prove it if you wish. Come with us to -the estancia and see the life of the gauchos. You shall have a post -under my manager, and pay in proportion. There, lad, it's a real -pleasure to meet you." - -The tall, kindly owner of the estancia stretched out one hand and -gripped Harold's. Mr. Blunt was a sympathetic man who seemed to be -able to dip under the surface, to read the thoughts and feelings of -those with whom he came in contact. There was some magnetic -attraction about him which drew young fellows to him, which made him -their friend almost from the first moment, and led them to confide in -him, just as Dudley had done so soon after their chance meeting. Was -it extraordinary, therefore, if Harold Joyce fell under the same -spell? These were some of the first really kind words he had heard -for many a day. The lad was deliriously happy. His troubles had -been sliding rapidly from his shoulders, and in an hour, it seemed, -he had regained his old friend, and had won another. He gripped the -extended hand, shook it eagerly, and then burst into tears, tears -which he stifled in an instant. - -"I came out here to be a man, to act like one if possible, and to -show that I was not altogether bad," he said, steadying his voice. -"If you and Dud will have me, why----" - -"You'll come, old chap," chimed in Dudley. - -"I will. It will be ripping." - -"Then that is settled," said Mr. Blunt. "Now I think it is high time -we discussed some other matter. We seem to have forgotten that we -are sailing down the Paraná in a strange vessel. The question is, -shall we drop anchor and wait till morning, or shall we carry on down -to Buenos Ayres?" - -"The question is settled already," burst in Dudley, "for we cannot -anchor if we wish to do so. You forget that the gang who attacked us -cut their cable when we were escaping, and that you yourself tossed -the spare anchor into the boat which came alongside. So far as I can -see there is nothing to be done but to carry on till morning." - -As it happened, however, the voyage downstream which the trio had -been compelled to make was shortly afterwards brought to a sudden -conclusion. It was densely dark, and in consequence steering was -impossible, for it was seldom that Mr. Blunt caught a glimpse of the -banks. Indeed, some few minutes later the boat grounded upon a bank -of mud, coming to a standstill so gently that those aboard were -hardly aware of the circumstances. - -"The difficulty vanishes," laughed Mr. Blunt, when all were sure of -what had occurred. "We may just as well make ourselves comfortable -for the remainder of the night, for we are fast ashore. I don't -think we need fear a second attack from our enemies, for they are far -behind us, and if they venture to follow will probably run past us -without even seeing our spars. But I fancy they will be too busy -looking to their own safety. They know very well that I shall take -steps to have a search made for them, though it is little enough that -one can expect from such action. Still, there are police down at -Buenos Ayres, and some also at the settlements lying between us and -that city. I shall make complaints, and try to stir the authorities -up to some sort of action. But I fear little will come of it, for -the cities and settlements are too busy to spare men for police -duties, as a rule, while the country is so vast, there are such -numbers of unregistered foreigners in it, that arrest of evildoers -becomes a rare occurrence. Still, I will make my complaints, and -will then return to the estancia. For the next few months I will -devote myself to the building of forts, for I know now that the -rascal who has on former occasions caused attacks to be made on me is -still in the country. He will not rest after this. There are a -hundred cut-throats to be had in the ports of Montevideo and Buenos -Ayres, broken down gauchos and other ruffians. We must make -preparation to meet them in case a second band is organized. And now -for a sleep. As I said, there is practically no fear of -interruption, for now that those rascals have failed they will be -eager to make good their escape." - -Feeling secure against further attack, and having assured themselves -that their vessel was hard and fast on the mud, the trio lowered the -sail and stepped down into the cabin so lately occupied by the -Italian and his rascals. The door had been left wide open, and as a -consequence the pokey little place had been thoroughly aired. -However, when the lamp had been set alight, the feeble illumination -it gave showed to some extent the character of its late inhabitants. -Tin pannikins, some half-filled with spirit and water, still lay on -the table, while the stone jar had rolled on to the floor, where it -had smashed into a hundred pieces, scattering them and what little -was left of the contents all over the cabin. Dudley at once took a -broom, which he found on the deck, and swept the boards clean. Then -some sacking was procured, and within a little while all were fast -asleep, Harold hugging himself closely in some sacking; for the night -had been a little cool, and his soaking garments had not conduced to -warmth. - -A brilliant sun greeted the trio as they came on deck on the -following morning. - -"As I thought," said Mr. Blunt in tones of satisfaction. "We are -ashore on the mud, and should be able to push the vessel off with -poles. No damage has been done to our craft, and we shall soon have -an opportunity of acting as navigators. But what about some -breakfast? Come, Harold, you shall be our cook to-day, and Dudley -shall supervise your work. He is a practised hand after his life on -the pampas." - -The two young fellows ran off to see what the ship's larder -contained, and very soon a column of black smoke was rising from the -funnel which protruded from the galley. As for Mr. Blunt, while he -waited the results of his two young friends' efforts, he carefully -surveyed his surroundings, and was overjoyed to see, a mile or more -up the river, and almost wholly out of sight round a gentle bend, the -boat which he and Dudley had chartered. - -"Then I feel fairly sure of obtaining my goods again," he said, as he -watched the craft. "I see no one moving aboard her, and as she, too, -has run ashore, I fancy the rascals who were aboard her have -decamped. But they shall hear from me later, and in the meanwhile I -have a bone to pick with the crew of both vessels. It seems to me -that they must have known of this proposed attack, and have absented -themselves purposely." - -This was, indeed, the fact, for unknown to him the crew of the boat -he had chartered had slipped ashore across the gangway soon after the -hands he had hired had made their way to the saloons; while the men -who manned the boat on which he found himself now had dropped into -their small boat and followed the same plan. - -It was in the dinghy which they had used to get ashore that his own -hands had put out into the river in order to join their accomplices. - -"Breakfast!" shouted Dudley, appearing at the door of the galley in -his shirt sleeves, and bearing a smoking pan in his hands. "Now, -Harold, pass Mr. Blunt the bill of fare and get into the cabin to lay -the cloth. We shall want forks and knives." - -Harold Joyce, his face radiant, a merry smile on his lips, issued on -to the deck, slate in hand, and ran to Mr. Blunt. A -disreputable-looking object he appeared, too, for he had merely a -shirt, socks, and overall trousers to clothe him, and they were by no -means improved by his immersion during the night. - -"Fish first, sir?" he cried, as he pushed his slate before Mr. Blunt -and pointed to the letters scrawled in chalk. "We found a good -supply, which was quite fresh. Then we come to eggs, poached or -boiled, sir?" - -"'Pon my word, trust youngsters to look after a meal!" laughed the -owner of the estancia. "And what a feast it is, to be sure! Fish, -eggs, toast and coffee! A bill of fare fit for a king! Boiled, -please, Harold, and if there is a good supply I can manage two. By -the way, lad, what about that wound? I had forgotten it entirely, -for you have not even mentioned it." - -Harold flushed to his eyes again. "It's nothing at all," he said -hastily. "It did not even keep me awake. However, you may see it if -you wish." - -His shirt was all stained with blood about one shoulder. Mr. Blunt -therefore at once helped him to slip the garment off. Then he -examined the wound critically; living as he did miles away from a -settlement, he had in course of time become quite accomplished in the -art of treating hurts, for the gauchos often came to grief. - -"I should not make so little of it as you do," he said with one of -his friendly smiles. "However, the ball has done no great damage. -It struck the very edge, slipped under the skin, and flew out again. -The wound is little more than skin deep, it is true, but none the -less painful. As soon as we get back to our own vessel I will dress -it, for I have nothing with me here. Now let us have that breakfast; -I admit that I have a huge appetite." - -It was a merry party which sat down in the tiny cabin below, and the -jollity of the trio was not a little due to the good fare placed -before them. Dudley had long since had lessons in camp cooking from -Pietro and the other gauchos, and could poach an egg so well that -even the most delicate appetite would be tempted by it. He was an -expert in the manufacture of steaming coffee, and with Harold's help -had produced an excellent repast. - -"It was my first experience of cooking," laughed Harold, as he -tackled a piece of fish, "and I confess I like the work. It -interests me, and I shall devote heaps of time to it. Then I mean to -learn how to ride these American horses, and how to shoot. Dud has -been telling me something about it all, and I am sure I shall enjoy -the life of the rancho." - -"Take your lessons from him, then," answered Mr. Blunt. "He can -shoot, as even the gauchos admit, and they are very grudging with -their praise in that respect. He has a good seat in the saddle, and -above all he knows how to work with the men. That is a great secret. -The manager, the officer, even the proprietor of a business, who has -a way with his men, who studies their comfort, respects them, and -gains their sympathy, while at the same time insisting on obedience, -gains as well their respect. You must make that your aim, lad. Show -the men that you can ride and shoot, that you are not afraid even of -Indians, and then they will be friends of yours. That reminds me; -there are Indians near the rancho. You will have to expect sudden -raids, and there is not the slightest doubt that now we who live on -the rancho shall carry our lives in our hands. Now, does that deter -you?" - -Harold shook his head vigorously. - -"If you and Dudley are there, that is good enough for me," he -answered briskly. "I shall do my best to share in the fighting if -the Indians come. But tell me more about them, please. Dudley -mentioned something about a raid which was made quite recently." - -As they discussed the meal Mr. Blunt outlined their doings on the -rancho since he and Dudley had arrived from England, and did not fail -to give due praise to his young manager. The tale opened Harold -Joyce's eyes very wide indeed, and after that he looked at his old -friend with increasing admiration, and swore once again that his old -captain should be his model for the future. - -"Now for work," said Mr. Blunt, when all the good things had -disappeared. "We will hoist the sail first of all, and then push the -vessel off the mud. There is a fine fresh breeze blowing upstream, -and that should help us along wonderfully." - -"What will happen when we get opposite the port again?" asked Dudley. -"We have no anchor, and if we drop our sail we shall soon drift -downstream again." - -"There is a simple way out of the difficulty," was the prompt answer. -"I will run her ashore on a soft spot as near the port as possible. -Then I will go to the port authorities, make my complaints, and hire -a boat and a couple of men to take us down to our own vessel." - -They laid hold of the tackle at once, and by dint of much hauling -finally got their sail up. Then the wind helped them more than they -had expected, for, filling the sail at once, it drove them off the -mud out into the middle of the stream. A little movement of the -tiller brought the bow into the right direction, and very soon they -were bowling along towards their destination. Indeed, in an hour -they were opposite the port, which consisted of an official residence -and office, a few private houses, and the odious saloons. There was -a patch of soft mud just above the wharf, and Mr. Blunt calmly ran -the vessel ashore there, dropping the sail when she was securely -embedded. An hour later he and his young friends were aboard their -own boat. - -"As I thought," he said. "My complaints of those rascals were -listened to politely. The official was all sympathy, but when it -came to a question of action he merely shrugged his shoulders and -pointed out that he had no one to help him. But he promised to send -a report down to Buenos Ayres, while I myself will set private agents -to work to make inquiries for me. However, our friend the official -has promised to procure men to help in the loading, so that we may be -off to-night." - -Indeed, that same evening saw them sailing up the river, their old -crew having come aboard. - -"Of course they expressed the utmost surprise and indignation," said -Mr. Blunt to Dudley, as the captain and his men filed aboard. "What -can one say? I suspect them strongly. In fact I am positive that -they kept out of the way purposely. However, they are necessary to -us, and the failure of their friends will make them careful of their -behavior in the future." - -On the following day the vessel put in at the port at which Mr. -Blunt's cattle were shipped, and they found Pepito waiting for them -there, while half a dozen of the gauchos had ridden in to help with -the logs, and to carry to the estancia the goods which had been -bought in Buenos Ayres. - -"Now, Harold, you will be able to pick a horse, and try what it is to -sit a South American saddle," cried Dudley, as the party prepared to -ride away. "See here, I will give you a lesson in mounting." - -Pepito had brought Dudley's favorite horse to meet him, and striding -up to the beast he sprang into the saddle with a bound which -surprised the lad who was watching. The reins were gathered up in an -instant, the feet seemed to find the stirrups by themselves, and in a -moment he was off. But Dudley swung his animal round when fifty -yards away, brought him back at a gallop, and was on his feet beside -Mr. Blunt at the very moment when his horse came to a standstill. - -"Just what I have been longing for ever since we left for Buenos -Ayres," he laughed. "Life on shipboard may be very nice, but give me -the open pampas and a horse." - -"And me also," sang out Mr. Blunt, as he climbed into his saddle. -"You will learn it all in a little while, Harold, and, like Dudley, -will enjoy every minute of the day. For me the life is fascinating, -and I'll be bound that you will find it the same. But come along. -Let us be off." - -Harold had had some practice with horses in England, and he mounted -the beast he had chosen without so much as a qualm. But he soon -found that an American saddle and a fresh, almost wild, horse were -very different from pigskin and the hacks one usually obtains -elsewhere. Still, he sat well, and managed his steed after a little -practice. Indeed, he soon felt so much at home that he was able to -take some note of his surroundings, and was delighted with the -pampas. As to the camp they formed that night, the hearty meal, and -his bed under the shelter of his saddle, the boy simply revelled in -the experience, and woke as rosy and happy as possible. Within a -week he had quite settled down to the new life, and ever by the side -of our hero had ridden from end to end of the rancho. By then a good -proportion of the logs which Mr. Blunt had ordered had been delivered -at the wharf on the river, and had been divided. - -"I have arranged for the work of fort building to go on at each of -the corrals at one and the same time," said the owner of the -estancia, as he and the lads sat in the one room of the house one -evening after the day's ranching was done. "And I will give you my -reasons for such a step. A plan that appeared some three weeks ago -to be one demanding no haste is now one which undoubtedly demands -instant execution. I shall not feel secure till all the forts are -erected." - -"Then have you had news of the roughs who attacked us?" demanded -Dudley anxiously, for ever since the attack made upon them on the -river he had been thinking of the consequences. He had now obtained -some insight into the conditions of this portion of South America, -and knew that the Entre Rios district was one which lay at the mercy -of any well-organized gang of brigands who cared to take to the -pampas. He had met a few of the neighboring ranchers, all of whom -had at some time been victims of the Indian raids, or of sudden onset -by white outlaws, and he knew now how real was the danger of which -Mr. Blunt had warned him on the way out to the country. "You have -heard something?" he asked. "What is the news, sir?" - -"There is little, but what I have gathered is bad," was the prompt -answer. "I set agents to work, and already I have had a report. The -ringleader of the gang who attacked us on the way up the river--I -mean, of course, the ruffian who organized them, but who took no -active part, has not yet been discovered. But the authorities in -Montevideo have had warning that a gang is being formed. They have -had complaints about these marauders before, and as far as possible -they endeavor to send warning to the ranchers. They tell me that it -has come to their knowledge that the graziers in the Entre Rios -district are to be attacked; but where the gang of rascals is now, -when they will commence operations, and of how many they consist, the -agents have no definite information. So we must be prepared, for the -storm will burst when least expected, and those who have made no -preparation will go under. For that reason I am setting all the -hands I can procure to work at the forts, and I shall not rest till -they are completed." - -That he was ill at ease was evident, and from that date, for a month, -building operations went on feverishly, and wooden forts were erected -close to each one of the corrals. Not till they were finished did -Mr. Blunt consider that he could spare Dudley. - -"I have waited till now, as an attack might come at any moment," he -said one day when each one of the forts was declared to be ready. -"We have now finished the first portion of our plan. It remains now -to train the men, to teach them the signals, and to accustom them to -the use of the forts. After that is done we must communicate with -the neighboring ranchers, and I will send you two youngsters to make -all arrangements. You shall set out at the end of the week, and I -will give you an escort, for you might be attacked. Select your own -men, Dudley, and let me know who they are as soon as possible." - -The two young fellows could not repress the smile of pleasure which -wreathed their lips at the orders just received. It meant that they -would ride away from the estancia, and that, added to the joy of -camping in the open, there might even be some adventure, for the -times were likely to be stirring. They selected their escort, took a -spare horse apiece, and one fine morning rode from the estancia, -armed to the teeth, and prepared for any trouble which might happen -to come their way. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -DUDLEY MAKES A DISCOVERY - -"There is the list of owners we have to call upon," said Dudley, on -the evening of the day on which they had ridden from the estancia. -"You see, there are three Portuguese, whom Mr. Blunt describes as -good fellows; two Englishmen, with whom he has always been on the -best of terms; and one other individual of whose nationality he is -uncertain. He is really our nearest neighbor, but somewhat cut off, -owing to a belt of forest. We shall visit him last." - -"The others are some distance away, I suppose?" was Harold's -question. "That means that we shall be away some days. Then I act -as cook. That's agreed?" - -"So long as you give us something fit to eat," was the laughing -rejoinder. "One of the gauchos shall help you, and you two will cook -for the whole party. I'll tell off two more to gather wood or -thistle tops, and one to fetch water. We will commence right away, -and so let everyone know what is expected of him. Call the boys, -Pepito." - -The young gaucho, whom Dudley had selected to lead his escort, came -with half a dozen men at his heels trotting up to our hero, and -pulled his horse in with iron hands, which set the beast rearing and -plunging. - -"The señor called," he said, stroking his thin mustache with the -fingers of one hand, and looking not a little proud of himself, for -it was a feather in his cap to be selected as the leader of Dudley's -escort. - -"I called to inform you that we shall camp here where we stand, for -there is open pampas all round, and a stream of water close at hand. -Tell off a man to help the señor here to do our cooking, and two more -to gather thistle tops or what wood there may be lying about. I -shall want another to get water for the cooks, and the remainder will -be broken up into guards. We will commence right away by being -careful; then, if anyone does attempt to surprise us, we shall not be -taken so easily." - -"It is good advice, señor," came the answer. "I have nine gauchos -with me, and will tell them off as you say. How many guards will the -señor need? I suggest four. There are twelve of us here, including -yourselves, and if the señors care to take their turn----" - -"Care! Of course we shall share the work," sang out Dudley briskly. -"We are not going to lie under our saddles and sleep all through the -night when a watch has to be kept. It will do us good to take our -turn. Divide the men into three lots of three, then, Pepito, placing -the señor here with one batch, yourself with another, and myself with -the last. We will watch for two hours, and then the guards will be -changed." - -He waved his hand to show that the interview was over, and then -watched as Harold made his preparations for the evening meal. The -young fellow set to work with a will, for camp cooking was an art -which had attracted his attention since he came to the pampas. Up -till then he could hardly have prepared a rasher of bacon had he been -asked, but the days he had spent away on the estancia with Dudley, -when raw provisions were carried in their haversacks, and had to be -cooked before they could be eaten, had taught him not a little, and -the lad was beginning to pride himself upon his ability. Selecting a -hollow down by the stream which ran close beside the camp, he and the -man told off to help him erected a fireplace with boulders taken from -the bed of the stream, and, breaking open a cartridge, damped a -portion of the powder, setting fire to the train of dry grains which -led to it by means of a flint and steel, for matches in those days -were very precious out there on the pampas. Driftwood from the bank -of the stream had already been piled over the powder, and very soon -there was a merry blaze. Cooking pots were now produced, and for an -hour, while Dudley and Pepito were busily superintending the -watering, feeding, and grooming of the horses, the two cooks went on -with their work. - -"Roast deer, grilled bones, bread and coffee," shouted Harold at -length, appearing before Dudley in his shirt sleeves. "Dinner is -ready and waiting." - -"And so are we. Bring the boys, Pepito," sang out Dudley. "Let us -get the meal over before it is dark. Then the men will have time for -a smoke before turning in." - -Out there on the pampas, when the first streak of light found the -camps astir, and the rising of the sun often enough discovered the -gauchos, already breakfasted, their horses watered and fed, and -themselves mounted and away after the cattle, a man did not as a rule -wish to sit up late after darkness had fallen. Candles, like -matches, were scarce, and, besides, the strenuous life, and the fresh -open air, always had their effect. The gauchos worked hard from -cock-crow till nightfall, and then, having supped and smoked a pipe, -they were content to fall asleep, as if they were children, and make -the utmost of the hours of darkness. Scarcely an hour, therefore, -after their meal was ended, the camp was wrapped in silence, eight -long figures lying beneath blankets under the shelter of as many -saddles, while on the four sides, spread out some two hundred yards -from the camp, rode the comrades who were on guard. Gaunt and weird, -too, did these latter look as the light of a small crescent of the -moon fell upon their figures. Each man was wrapped in his poncho, -which belled out all round him, falling sometimes even lower than his -knees. Wide-brimmed hats were pulled well over the ears, and in -every case a thin rod stuck up above the shoulder and head, standing -out prominently against the light of the moon, and showing plainly -that the gaucho carried arms. Sometimes the sturdy fellows would sit -like statues, watching and listening, while their mounts, seeming to -understand what was expected of them, would stand without so much as -a move, waiting, like the patient and well-trained beasts they were, -for the word of their masters. Perhaps a low whistle would sound -across the camp, and at once the men on guard would lift their heads -and would amble across to where the call had originated, only to -retire again within a minute. For the whistle was a signal, and a -prompt answer to it told the one who had given it that his comrades -were awake and alert. - -"The two hours is ended. The señor takes the guard." - -The tall figure of Pepito bent over our hero, and with a start he was -awake. - -"Two hours gone!" he exclaimed, as he rubbed his eyes. "Why, I lay -down only a minute ago! There is some mistake." - -"There is none, señor. Two full hours have passed, and you have -slept all the while. I know that, for I crossed close to you many -times. The horses are sleeping peacefully, señor, and there is -nothing to report. The moon falls in two hours more, so you will -know when to rouse the other guard." - -It was true. Dudley sprang to his feet, threw his poncho over his -shoulder, and ran off with his saddle to where the horses were -picketed. Two minutes later he and his three gauchos took up their -guard, and patrolled round the camp. It was a new experience to our -hero, and many a time that night did he see an enemy in some bush -across the stream, which on quiet investigation proved to be a -shadow. For he was like the young soldier taking sentry duty soon -after joining the ranks, who finds this unaccustomed work at first -somewhat trying. However, nothing startling occurred during the -night, and when the sun flashed across the pampas on the following -morning it found the camp broken up, and Dudley and his escort well -on their way. - -A week later the little cavalcade was returning to the estancia, -having paid the last of their visits. - -"On the whole we have been very successful," said Dudley, as he and -Harold rode side by side. "We have interviewed all the ranchers our -employer sent us to see, and they have agreed to bring their men at -once should they receive a signal. At the same time we have arranged -to keep one another informed of the movements of the natives and of -any strange whites. By the way, I can't say I like that last fellow -we went to see." - -"Nor I," was the prompt answer. "He was a surly beggar, and I caught -him many a time scowling at you, Dud. I thought, too, that his -promises were not sincere. He seemed eager to hear all about this -intended organization of the ranchers, and yet gave me the impression -that he cared little what became of those owning estancias on either -side of him." - -"Of whom Mr. Blunt is one, Harold. Yes, I too thought the man queer. -We will ask Pepito about him." - -A call brought the gaucho cantering up at once, and in a minute he -was ambling along beside our hero. - -"I can tell you little about the owner of the last estancia we -visited, señor," he said. "There is no love between his men and -ours, and were it not for the belt of forest which divides us I think -there would be trouble. As it is, our gauchos have met those from -the estancia we speak of, down in the settlements, and knives have -been drawn, and shots fired. It is even whispered, señor, that those -who pose as gauchos are merely robbers. One of the men here can tell -a tale which will open your ears." - -"Then call him," was the prompt answer. - -A short and very swarthy gaucho galloped up at Pepito's call, and sat -his horse jauntily beside Dudley while Pepito interpreted what he had -to say. - -"This man says that once he met a gaucho down at the cattle station -on the river, and heard more than he was intended to hear. The -fellow had a pocketful of money, and spoke over freely in his cups. -He said enough in any case to show our friend here that service on -this estancia from which we are now riding was far more profitable -than service elsewhere. He scoffed at the very name of ranching, and -hinted that there was other work." - -"Other work! What can that have been?" asked Dudley curiously, for -to tell the truth the impression he had gained of the last estancia -owner he had interviewed was not very good. The fellow had been curt -and almost openly rude. He was a swarthy, truculent man, short of -stature, broad, and with a decidedly unpleasant cast of countenance. -As to his nationality, he was in all probability an Italian. He -could speak English fairly well, and Harold, who watched him closely, -could have sworn that the fellow had an antipathy to all that was -English. In fact, after the interview was over, the two left the -house with a feeling of doubt, vaguely wondering whether the -individual who lived there would even lift a finger if his neighbors -were attacked. - -"Well, what was this work?" asked Dudley. "If the man scoffed at -ranching, what else could there have been? Out here on the pampas -there is little that one can do to earn a living except by looking -after cattle." - -Pepito turned to the dusky gaucho and questioned him closely. Then -he swung round to his young leader and shrugged his shoulders. - -"Our friend cannot say definitely, for even a gaucho in his cups has -some caution. But this is certain. The forest belt which separates -us runs far into the Indian country, and the man who owns this -estancia has friends there. It seems that on occasion the Indians -are invited to a feast, just to keep them in good temper, and our -friend here believes that more than one Indian raid has been planned -by this neighbor of ours." - -The news came as a blow to Dudley, and for a while he sat his horse -in moody silence, while Pepito and the other gaucho drew rein and -retired at a wave of his hand. - -"If the hint that we have just had has any truth in it we have -trouble to face," he said at last. "If this fellow is a rascal, and -makes friends with the Indians, he is now possessed of all the -information he wants. He has heard of our forts, and of the -agreement between the ranchers, and in that case he will be fully -prepared. I think----" - -He broke off suddenly, and pulled in his horse with a jerk. - -"You think? Yes?" demanded Harold eagerly, for he too had gained an -unfavorable impression of their last host. - -"That it is my duty to look further into this matter. You see, these -Indian raids are very dangerous, particularly for Mr. Blunt, for he -lives right on the Indian frontier. Now if the fellow we have -recently left is a rascal----" - -"As Pepito's friend seems to believe." - -"Exactly. If he is a rascal and harbors Indians it explains why -these raids are so sudden and so successful as a rule. I noticed -myself that in our last affair the men who invaded the estancia -retired in this direction. I can see for what reason. They make for -the nearest and most secure shelter. They retire on the forest, -break up into small bands there, and each band drives off a lot of -cattle, knowing well that they are secure, for they are on another -estancia, and it is a rule amongst the owners not to bring their men -on to a neighboring rancho." - -"And for the shelter given to the Indians our late friend has some -reward I suppose?" chimed in Harold, a note of satire in his voice. - -"If he is a rascal, and if what I am surmising is correct, then he -undoubtedly has something in return for what he does. There are -scores of our beasts unbranded at certain seasons of the year, and it -must be easy to pick out those animals, and leave the remainder to -the Indians." - -"While the man from whom the beasts are stolen can never claim them, -seeing that they do not bear his brand. I see your meaning, Dudley," -said Harold thoughtfully. "In the same way this fellow may harbor a -crew of outlaws, and few would suspect that the raids came from his -estancia." - -"That was what I was thinking. I know that the sudden onset of these -ruffians, and their equally sudden disappearance, have been puzzling -questions for Mr. Blunt. True, he and his gauchos have never -followed them more than a mile or two over the estancia borders. But -still, when they have come to inquire, the neighboring gauchos and -the owners of the estancia have seen nothing of the raiders, till -their turn comes, perhaps weeks later. Everyone thinks that the -rascals disappear into the Indian country, but what if they have -their headquarters near at hand, and the very fact of their being on -an estancia owned by a white man shelters them even from suspicion?" - -The very thought was sufficient to make Dudley anxious, and for five -minutes at least he sat his horse like a statue. Harold looked -expectantly into his face, as if about to ask him a question, while -just in rear, obedient to every action of their leader, the gauchos -sat silently, the fringes of their leggings blowing in the wind, and -their steel bits jingling musically. Something was in the air they -knew, for why had their leader called two of his following to his -side? Something told them that the señor was disturbed in his mind, -and, as if to give him every opportunity to get to the bottom of this -trouble, they sat as silent as a band of ghosts, looking keenly into -one another's eyes. - -As for Dudley, he felt that he ought to take some action, and he was -puzzled as to what it ought to be. During the past half-hour the -many tales which Mr. Blunt had told him had been passing across his -mind with unusual vividness. He knew that his employer had been -raided time and again, just as other owners had been. He remembered, -too, that the roving bands of outlaws and rascals who at times -infested the pampas had paid more than one visit, and had even burnt -Mr. Blunt out of house and home. On each occasion they had -disappeared as if by magic, to turn up again days later many miles -away. What if those bands came from the neighboring estancia? - -"I will do it," he said aloud. "I feel that it is my duty to set a -watch on this fellow. We have still four days to ourselves, for Mr. -Blunt told me he did not expect us to return till a fortnight had -gone. We will make the most of those spare days. We will turn and -ride back." - -With a swing he brought his horse's head round in the opposite -direction, and was in the act of cantering away past the gauchos, -when Pepito arrested his attention. - -"The master returns?" he asked, with a lift of his chin. "The señor -suspects this owner whom we have left, and means to watch him?" - -"That is my intention," was the short answer. "About turn!" - -"One moment, señor! Perhaps the gauchos of this man we have seen -suspect that you do not like them. Perhaps they have been instructed -to watch you till you are on our own estancia. Look at the forest. -A hundred men might be there, and would see us at once if we turned. -It would be better and wiser perhaps if the señor made his camp close -to here, and then to-night we could mount and ride back till we were -in the forest." - -The handsome fellow lifted his hat deprecatingly, as if to apologize -for so boldly venturing his advice. But Dudley was not the one to -feel injured, particularly when he remembered that Pepito had been -brought up on the pampas, and knew every trick. - -"Excellent, Pepito!" he cried. "Just ride round as if you were -hunting for a likely spot, and then we will camp. Get the fire -going, picket the horses, and when darkness comes send out the -guards. If anyone has crept up close by, then they will see us -settled for the night. We will wait three hours before setting off." - -The gaucho gave a vigorous nod of his head, and in a moment was -cantering away, his eyes searching diligently for a favorable camping -site. Not that there was much difference in the surroundings, for -the pampas spread on every hand, sweeping away in long and slightly -rolling knolls covered with waving grass right to the horizon, save -in the direction from which the party had just come. There a dense -line of dark forest cut across the low skyline, the forest behind -which lay the estancia of the individual whom they had so recently -visited. Dudley stood in his stirrups for some minutes, watching the -long green band, wondering whether there was ground for his -suspicions, whether the man who lived at the neighboring estancia -were honest, and merely possessed of an unfortunate and surly manner; -or whether he were indeed a rogue, who harbored rascals, and -organized the constant raids from which the ranchers suffered. - -"Honest or not, I feel it my duty to look into the matter," he said -aloud. "If he is a respectable person, then no harm will have been -done, for I shall take pains to keep out of sight of him and of his -men. If he is a rascal, why, then, perhaps I shall be able to open -the eyes of Mr. Blunt. He would be surprised to hear that the -attacks which he imagines are organized in Montevideo are really the -work of a neighbor. And if that is actually the case, then I fancy -that within a little while we shall be able to put a stop to any -repetition of the trouble, and perhaps even may see the end of this -vendetta which has dogged his footsteps for so many years, and which -has so constantly threatened his life." - -"Then you return and pay a second visit?" - -It was Harold who asked the question, with a strange glint in his -eyes, and so suddenly that Dudley started. "I believe that you are -on the right track, and that the gentleman behind those trees is a -rascal. Dud, it would be fine to do something for our employer. He -has been good and kind to you, and to me he has been even more. I'd -do a lot to pay him back in some manner." - -"Then you shall have the opportunity," answered Dudley promptly. "If -we are right, this little business will be dangerous, for if they are -rascals over there they will shoot us on sight. We must chance that, -and I swear that we will not return till we have cleared up the -matter. Ah! Pepito has found a camping ground for us, so we will -dismount." - -They slipped out of their saddles and led their horses to the pool -which lay within a hundred yards of the spot. Then the usual routine -of the camp was carried out. The horses were picketed, fed, and -groomed. Saddles were placed in a row close to the fire, while -Harold rolled his sleeves to the elbow, produced his pots and pans, -and commenced to prepare the evening meal. And all the while one of -the gauchos slowly walked his horse in a wide circle round the camp, -as was the usual custom, his eyes constantly roving the pampas, for -the camp lay on the border of the Indian country. On this occasion -the gaucho cast many a glance towards the forest, as if he, too, were -suspicious of the men living beyond that dark barrier. Once even, as -if he had seen something suspicious, the active fellow clambered to -his feet, and stood to his full height on the saddle, one hand over -his eyes to shade them from the light. But evidently he was -satisfied at length, for he slid down again and rode away to the -opposite side of the camp. - -[Illustration: "HE STOOD TO HIS FULL HEIGHT ON THE SADDLE, ONE HAND -OVER HIS EYES TO SHADE THEM FROM THE LIGHT"] - -"It was nothing, señor," he said when Dudley walked out to question -him. "I thought I saw a horseman come from the trees, and so -clambered to my feet. But there was no one there. I must have -caught sight of a shadow. The señor may feel sure that there is none -on the edge of the forest, for had he been there I should certainly -have seen him." - -Within an hour they sat down to their evening meal, and, soon -afterwards, darkness having fallen, they lay down. On the outskirts -of the camp four silent figures rode to and fro for all the world as -if the camp were settled for the night, and as if the little party -had no intention of moving till the sun had risen once again above -the waving pampas. But the stillness of the place lasted for one -short hour only. Then Pepito rose, called gently to the men, and led -the way to the horses. In three minutes all were mounted and ready, -while Dudley and Harold conversed in low tones with the young gaucho -who led the men. - -"We shall divide now into two parties," said Dudley. "Pepito will -take half the men and ride to the left. We shall take the other half -and make to the right. An hour before dawn we shall return to this -spot, and, once we are all here, we shall ride away to our own -estancia. That is clear, I think?" - -"As daylight," whispered Harold. - -"The señor's words leave no room for doubt. We divide now?" - -"At once," answered Dudley. - -They joined the men immediately, divided them in silence into two -groups, and in a moment they had separated, each party sweeping away -from the other and riding in a direction which would take them to -that dark line of forest which separated Mr. Blunt's holding from the -neighboring estancia. - -What if Dudley and his friends had known that while they lay in their -camp that evening a band of silent men, led by a short and -repulsive-looking individual, had ridden from the tumble-down house -located on the estancia beyond the forest, and had slowly and -cautiously entered the trees? And that is what had actually -happened. For no sooner had our hero and his little party ridden -away out of sight, than the owner of this neighboring rancho had sent -two of his ruffians to follow and watch, and in the evening he came, -together with several others, to join them in the forest where they -had halted. It was one of these horsemen whom Dudley's scout had -seen. It was no fancy on his part, and no mere shadow had deceived -his keen eyes. For men were there, a band of ruffians armed to the -teeth, and waiting only for the word of their leader to ride down -upon the peaceful camp outside on the pampas and murder every one -sleeping there. - -"We will surround them, so that none can escape," growled the surly -leader. "Then, knowing the plans of this Mr. Blunt, we will post men -to cut off any gaucho who may be sent with a message to the other -ranchers, and as the dawn breaks we will attack our neighbors. At -last, my friend, I shall be even with you. You escaped my men on the -river, just as you slipped out of my fingers on two former occasions. -This time fortune is favoring me, and when the dawn comes I shall -have paid my debt. There will be no longer a reason for the -vendetta." - -The man clenched his fists and swore in Italian, under his breath. -Then, calling gently to his men, he rode from the trees, and very -soon was spurring down upon the spot so lately occupied by Dudley and -his party. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -HEMMED IN ON EVERY SIDE - -A small crescent of the moon rode high in a cloudless sky on that -eventful night when Dudley led his little band back towards the dark -forest line behind which lay the estancia that they had so recently -visited; and the faint light it shed helped them not a little as they -rode. - -"We are fortunate," whispered Dudley to Harold, who jogged along -beside him. "If it had been one of those pitch-dark nights which we -have on occasion, we should have found it difficult to discover even -the forest, for it is wonderful how easily one loses one's bearings -on the pampas." - -"Even during broad daylight," came the answer. "Why, time and again -I have found myself at a loss, and have wondered which direction I -ought to take. Then I have remembered the advice which Pietro gave, -and soon I have got my direction from the sun. But we are lucky -to-night, as you say. There is the forest, and there--yes, there is -Pepito and his following." - -They pulled in their horses for a minute and stared steadily ahead to -where, stretching ghostly and silently across their track a mile -away, lay the forest line, the belt of trees which separated them -from the estancia towards which they were riding. What might not be -in store for them there? What unthought-of danger might they not be -about to encounter? - -"I am sure, as sure as a fellow can well be, that the man who lives -over there is a rascal," murmured Dudley, as if speaking his thoughts -aloud. "If ever there was 'ruffian,' written upon a man's face, he -had it on his; and the more I think of Mr. Blunt's tales, of the -attacks with which he has had to put up, and the mystery which -surrounds the brigands who have made these attacks, the more sure I -am that there is something in our suspicions. There is good reason -for them, and to-night we will do our best to settle the matter." - -"And supposing you find evidence that this fellow is a ruffian," -asked Harold thoughtfully, "will you----?" - -"Attack him promptly? No, Harold, that would be doing too much. I -have no orders to interfere with him, and besides I should hardly be -able to obtain evidence that he or his men had actually made a raid -on Mr. Blunt. No, our best plan, if our suspicions are confirmed, -will be to slink away, and, once we are back home, help our employer -to make other plans. Then we will set a net for the fellow, and one -of these days perhaps he will fall into it. In any case we shall be -warned of the danger, and after that it will be our own fault if this -man is successful. Ah, there is Pepito! I can see his men -distinctly. We will move on again." - -Away to his right, dimly illuminated by the feeble rays of the moon, -a ghostly band of riders could be seen jogging slowly on towards the -forest, and a glance told Dudley that the men he saw must be part of -the escort which he had brought from the estancia. He shook his -reins, pressed his knees into the flanks of his horse, and set the -beast in motion. Then his eyes left the silent band riding under the -moonlight, and fixed themselves on the forest line ahead. And -presently, as the distance decreased, he was able to make out the -tops of the trees, which were moving in the breeze, and later even -caught the whisper of the leaves, and the distant creak of swaying -branches. Down below the summits of the trees the same dark line -continued, save for a small break here and there, where the faint -light from the sky filtered in between the trees. - -Nothing else could be seen, and though he searched every foot of that -dark line with his eyes, he discovered nothing to cause him alarm, or -to warn him of the dark figures hovering in the forest. For some few -feet within the shadow cast by the trees a silent band sat their -horses, waiting the word of the squat individual who rode at their -head. - -"The fools! To think that they should play so nicely into my hands!" -this leader whispered to the man at his elbow. "Here were we, sure -that the knaves suspected us, about to ride out with the hope of -surprising their camp. Gauchos are the same all over the pampas, and -who knows, it is more than likely that their guards would have -discovered us, and to take them all would have meant a long and fast -gallop across the plains, a thing that neither you nor I like, -_amico_." - -A grunt from his companion told this leader that the man heard and -assented. - -"Even a gaucho may be thrown and killed when galloping at night," he -answered sourly. "There was Guino, an old comrade, who broke his -neck when----" - -"Yes, yes, I remember," was the hasty interruption. "But to return -to these fools. They have saved us all that trouble. Instead of our -riding out and attempting to surprise their camp they come to us. -You hear me? They ride to the forest, thereby placing their necks in -the noose we have prepared, and showing me plainly that if I was -suspicious of them, they also had little faith in me. Good! They -shall be captured. You have placed the men?" - -"They are in position, señor. They await your whistle." - -"And you gave them strict orders to do as I said?" - -"They understand what is wanted of them thoroughly. These men are to -be captured. Our fellows would sooner kill them at once and have -done with them. But you have reasons for saving their lives, and our -fellows are not fools." - -The man answered sourly, as if he considered his leader to be acting -stupidly, and showed plainly that if the order was that this band of -inquisitive gauchos and their English leaders was to be captured -unharmed, he at least was not in favor of such a policy. - -"I have given the order strictly," he added; "but were I in your -shoes I would wring the neck of every one of the dogs." - -"But you are a fool," came the short, curt answer, while the squat -figure turned in the saddle and faced the man who had just spoken, -the ugly leader of the band of ruffians peering into his lieutenant's -face with such a malignant expression that had it been light the man -would have started backward. As it was he had incurred the anger of -his master more than once before, and even though the darkness hid -the scowling face which was thrust within a foot of his, this ruffian -cringed, and sat far back in his saddle, muttering beneath his -breath. For Antonio Sarvisti had a reputation. He was the leader of -a band of lawless men, and knew that such a position was no sinecure. -Words meant weakness. Disobedience on the part of one of his men, if -left unpunished for an instant, would lead to mutiny, and then a -swift death would be the reward of the leader. No, Antonio had a -short way with his following, and a hand which went quickly to his -revolver. A lesson now and again was of advantage, and this ugly -leader was not the man to hesitate. He was one of those ruthless -savages who know how to command desperadoes. He held them at arm's -length, treated them more as children, allowed them to quarrel and -fight as much as they liked amongst themselves, and, like the astute -ruffian he was, whenever they showed signs of discontent he at once -organized a raid with which to distract their attention, for he well -knew that the mere thought of the booty which they would gather would -sweeten their tempers. But whatever happened, strict obedience to -his mere nod was a point on which he insisted, and the smallest -breach meant always the crack of a pistol and a bullet in the head of -the one who had misbehaved. Even the surly individual who acted as -Antonio's lieutenant was never free from the haunting fear that he -too might fall a victim to his leader, and it was seldom that he -presumed upon his position. At this very moment he sat back in his -saddle, staring fearfully at the squat figure of the Italian, while -one hand instinctively slid towards the pocket which held his -revolver. - -"You heard," came the sharp question from Antonio. "I said you were -a fool, and now I think you a bigger one, for your hand is near your -revolver, while, if you will only look, my weapon is within an inch -of your face. There, feel it!" - -The cold ring of steel touched the gaucho's forehead, sending a -shiver through his frame and causing him to start back. Beads of -perspiration burst out on his face, while his hands trembled. For -this Antonio was marvellous. - -"Preserve us!" he murmured with quivering lips. "The man sees like a -cat. Señor, I am at your mercy." - -"As you will always be," was the answer, given this time in softer -tones. "Antonio Sarvisti is not the man to be played with, and if he -makes one of his band a lieutenant, with higher wages and a bigger -share of the booty--a bigger share, mind you, _amico_,--he expects -greater obedience from that man. But there; we will not quarrel, you -and I. Thank the fates that you are not in my shoes, and learn to -understand that I have always a reason for every action. I could -have shot you like a dog a moment ago, but then I should have alarmed -the fools who are riding into our net. A reason, you see, amico. -Then you will gather that I have something in my mind which causes me -to order that these men shall be unharmed. Listen! If they are shot -down and killed, and if afterwards I am successful in slaying my -enemy in the estancia over there, the deaths of so many gauchos will -arouse a cry throughout the pampas. The owners are already -attempting to combine. They would gather their forces at once, and -it is likely that information would reach them that it was on this -estancia that the trouble had commenced, for one of these men might -escape. Now, do you see my meaning? You would raise a hornet's nest -about us. Secure these gauchos, kill this Mr. Blunt, and I warrant -that within a month our captives will take service with us. There, -silence now! The fools are getting near." - -Dudley and his men were indeed within a short distance of the forest -line by now, and it looked as if they would ride right into the trap -which had been set for them without taking any precautions. But, -suddenly, as the rascals within stared out from the shadows, they saw -our hero lift his arm above his head and bring the band to a -standstill. Almost at the same instant a shrill whistle sounded away -on the right, a signal which all knew came from Pepito. - -"Something wrong, I think," said Dudley to Harold, who rode up to his -elbow. "I called a halt here as I could see no easy way into the -forest. Everything looks so black ahead that I thought it wise to -send a man to search for an opening. And now Pepito gives a whistle. -What can be the reason?" - -They sat their horses there, uncertain how to act, and never dreamed -that within a few yards of them, hidden beneath the dense shadow and -the foliage, Antonio Sarvisti and his men lurked unseen. Not a -whisper reached their ears, though a minute later one of the gauchos -spurred his horse to our hero's side and warned him that he had heard -movements in the forest. - -"There are men there, señor," he said in low and warning tones. "I -heard them as they moved. This owner whom we have come to watch is -there with his following, and we are in danger of attack. There! -That was a horseman. I heard the hoofs of the beast moving over the -fallen leaves." - -"And here is Pepito," said Dudley suddenly, catching sight of a band -of horsemen riding towards him across the pampas. "You say you heard -men moving. Perhaps Pepito has heard the same, and in that case -there will be nothing left for us but to retreat as fast as possible. -Give a whistle, my man." - -An answering signal was sent, and very soon, spurring hard and -galloping as fast as possible, Pepito and his men arrived on the -scene. - -"Your pardon, señor," he said, as he pulled his panting horse in -within a foot of Dudley. "We were about to enter the forest through -a gap, when sounds came to our ears. It may have been the wind, -though I think myself that it was caused by horsemen. After that I -did not venture to enter, but signalled so that you would be warned." - -"We have found the same here. One of the gauchos declares that he -heard horsemen moving over the fallen leaves, Pepito. If that is the -case these men are watching us, and are prepared to attack us. I -think we had better ride away on to the pampas, and make direct for -the estancia." - -"The señor is right," came the prompt answer. "It would be madness -to enter now. Better collect in a ring and gallop away at our -fastest pace. If men are there they will surely fire at us the -instant we move away, and if we went slowly we should be killed." - -"While if we ride in a bunch we shall as certainly make an excellent -mark for their bullets," exclaimed Dudley, at a loss how to act, for -he had never anticipated such evil fortune as to be discovered in the -very first stage of his enterprise. Even now he could hardly believe -that the actions of his little band had been watched, and that men -were within the forest, ready to pounce upon his following when they -entered. Nor did he even dream that Antonio Sarvisti, the evil-faced -owner of the neighboring estancia, had already laid his plans to -capture the whole party, and afterwards to fall upon Mr. Blunt and -the remaining gauchos, and do his best to kill the former and wreck -his estancia. - -"We will gallop away now," Dudley said, after a moment's thought, -"and as we ride we will separate. Pass those orders. Are all ready?" - -He waited for a few seconds, so as to make sure that all understood, -and was on the point of giving the signal for the retirement of the -whole party, when suddenly a voice was heard from the forest, a voice -the tones of which he and Harold instantly recognized. - -"Ride if you will, señor, and be shot down by my men. But if you -will take your orders from me you will at once throw down your arms -and dismount, for I have sixty men here, and each one has a rifle -trained on you. Dismount, señor, instantly!" - -The words came like blows, so unexpected were they. In a flash -Dudley saw himself and his men prisoners, and the task which he had -set himself, and from which he had hoped for so much, turned into a -terrible disaster. In a second he realized that all his suspicions -of this Antonio Sarvisti were more than well founded, and that the -capture of his little band would leave Mr. Blunt and his estancia -open to instant attack. The forest was before him, black and -forbidding, and sheltering beneath its deep shadow the ruffian whose -movements he had returned to watch, while behind lay the moonlit -pampas, and freedom if he could but escape. Then he thought of the -rifles, which no doubt covered every member of his band, and realized -that a movement of the horses would mean death for many of his men. -Surrender alone seemed to be left, and then---- - -"Pepito," he whispered, "there is only one course. Will the men -support me?" - -"Try them, señor," came the crisp answer. - -"Then let them dismount as if about to surrender. The instant they -are off their horses they are to lie full length and wriggle forward -into the forest. We will fight these fine fellows in their own -cover." - -"Well, the señor has thought it out?" came the jeering question from -the forest. "He is about to surrender. That is well. Dismount and -no harm shall come to you." - -Without troubling to reply, Dudley flung his leg across the pommel of -his saddle and slipped to the ground, each one of the party following -his example. Then, in less time than it takes to tell, all were on -their faces and creeping rapidly towards the cover. - -"Treachery! Fire on them!" shouted Antonio, suddenly realizing that -a trick was being played. "Call the flanks out into the open and let -them surround these men as was arranged. Fire on them, or they will -give us trouble." - -The squat figure of the rascal showed up for one instant, as a -gleaming ray from the moon penetrated through a break in the trees -and fell upon him, then he, too, slid to the ground, and in a flash -was hidden from view. A second later a volley spurted from the dense -cover in front, the bullets ripping the leaves and hurtling out over -the pampas. Then there came a solitary shot. Crash! A rifle, fired -from a point some six yards away, suddenly lit up the dense darkness -of the forest, while a ball whizzed over Dudley's head and thudded -against the flanks of one of the horses. The poor beast rose high in -the air and stood there poised on his hind legs; then he lost his -balance and tumbled backwards with a crash. But he was up in an -instant, and began to lash out in all directions, kicking the other -horses till all were in a condition of terror. - -Crash! Another shot startled the silence, and then came a cry, the -sharp call of a man who has been wounded. It was Pepito, who lay -just beside Dudley, and at that moment was creeping into the shadow -of a bush on the very edge of the forest. But he was not the lad to -make a fuss because a bullet had ripped a hole through the muscles of -one of his thighs. One sharp cry of pain he gave, and then, setting -his lips, and fixing his eyes on the spot from which the shot had -come, he raced forward, bending low all the while and gripping his -hunting knife in his hand. - -"One to us, I think!" he heard someone exclaim in low tones. "Now -for number two." - -The gaucho's keen eyes could even penetrate the darkness of the -forest, and as he sat on his heels, waiting for the man who had fired -to show himself, he saw a barrel pushed through the fork of a trunk -within three feet of where he sat. A white blotch behind showed -where the man's face was, and gave Pepito all the information he -required. With one bound he reached the tree and threw the muzzle of -the weapon up just as the man pulled the trigger. Then, ere the -flash had died down, he had reached behind the trunk, had dragged the -ruffian who had fired closer to him, and with one stroke of his knife -had sent him to his end. - -"So let all robbers die," he murmured, as he stooped over the man. -"We will speak to the others in the same way." - -Assuring himself that the man was dead, he fell on all fours again, -and crept back towards Dudley, narrowly missing a shot which one of -his own gauchos fired at him as he came. - -"A blow for a blow, señor," he said. "The ruffian hit me through the -thigh and has been punished. The others have gone, I think, for they -know well that here in the forest we are equal to them." - -"Then get the men together and set a watch all round," was the sharp -order. "After that we will place two men to cover the horses with -their rifles, for it would never do to have them captured." - -"And then, señor?" - -"We will wait. There is nothing more that we can do, for if we -attempt to move through the forest we shall certainly be attacked. -Those fellows have a clever leader, who saw at once that in the -darkness of this place we had as much chance as he and his men. But -you may be sure that the rascals are all round us, ready to fire a -volley into us the instant we move or rise to our feet. As to how -long we shall wait I do not know; but if only the moon would go down -our course would be open. We should rush to the horses and ride for -our lives." - -The predicament in which Dudley and his following found themselves -was indeed by no means a pleasant one. It is true that they had -escaped capture for the moment, but it was very doubtful if they were -any the better off for that; for retreat across the pampas meant -disaster, and the volley which had greeted them as they threw -themselves on to the ground had told them plainly that they had an -overwhelming number to deal with. The wonder was, in fact, that one -only of their party had been wounded, and that the bullets had -whistled over the heads of the others. A minute later the aspect of -affairs was seen to be even worse, for no sooner had Pepito placed -his guards on every side than he himself went to look at the horses, -creeping like a snake through the forest as he made for the edge, for -to have stood up would have meant to invite a bullet. - -"Gone!" he exclaimed, with an exclamation of dismay, as he stared -into the open. "Those robbers have been too quick for us. We are -cornered, and can never escape." - -He crept back to Dudley's side with his tale, and there for some few -minutes lay at full length, whispering to him. - -"Gone, señor," he said with a groan, "as if they had vanished into -the night. There is no trace of them, though I looked to right and -left. The rascals must have driven them into the cover. We are -cornered. Escape is out of the question." - -"Never say die!" answered Dudley stubbornly. "Things look nasty, I -admit, but we are not taken yet. But there is something else which -is worrying me. Listen, Pepito! We must send a warning to Mr. -Blunt, for I can see the game which this fellow and his men are -playing. We thought to take them unawares, and to find out all about -them; while they must have seen that we suspected them. More than -that, once they had heard from us of the intended combination of the -owners of the estancias, they saw that instant action on their part -was necessary, or we should soon be too strong for them. Our faces -must have told them what we thought, and have warned them of the -report we should give to Mr. Blunt. The rest is clear." - -"Clear, señor. I do not understand," answered Pepito. - -"Then I will tell you. The rascals decided to attack us at once and -capture every one of our band. Then that report would never reach -our estancia; while, instead of our arriving, this Italian--for that -I think he is--would raid the place with his ruffians, and as likely -as not kill our employer and those who attempted to defend him." - -An exclamation burst from the gaucho spread full length at his side. -"Then that explains their presence here, señor," he said. "They -followed us, and were waiting in the forest to ride out and surround -our camp. And we, thinking to watch their movements, raised the -camp, and rode back here into their arms. Bah! It makes one's blood -boil to think that we have had such evil luck. But you were saying, -señor, that you had some trouble." - -"I have," replied Dudley decidedly. "We have others to think of. -There is Mr. Blunt; he must be warned. Someone must creep away from -here and make for the estancia. I would go myself, but I am in -command, and stand or fall with my men." - -"Then I will go," came the prompt answer, while Pepito sprang eagerly -to his feet, only to fall again the next moment; for now that the -contest had slackened and active movement had not been necessary for -some few minutes, the fact that he had been wounded was borne in on -his mind. He had felt the stinging blow given by the bullet, and had -at once determined on revenge, for this handsome and gallant gaucho -had the hot blood of Spain in his veins, and to him a blow received -demanded an instant return. But punishment had been given, the enemy -had for the moment been forced to retire, and now the pain of his -wound returned. The injury was not a very serious one, but -sufficient to make the limb stiff and movement painful. It was clear -at once that the task of reaching the estancia was, for him at least, -an impossible one. - -"More evil luck!" he groaned. "This wound would tire me before I had -gone many miles, even on a horse. The task falls to some other man. -If the señor will permit I will choose one who is crafty and brave." - -A minute later, indeed, he had called one of his gauchos to his side, -where he repeated the orders which his young leader gave. - -"You will creep out into the forest and search for a horse, _amigo_," -he said. "Take your pistol and knife only, and strike hard if you -should meet one of the robbers. When you are through, ride for your -life and warn them at the estancia. Let them gather the other owners -and the gauchos and bring them, back here at the gallop. There, go. -You are brave." - -The man, a young fellow of Pepito's own age, merely grunted his -assent, gripped Dudley and his comrade by the hand, and at once crept -off into the cover like a snake. Behind him he left the remainder of -the little band, crouched low amid the trees and brambles, listening, -listening eagerly for a sound. Once they heard a sharp crack, the -sound made by a man who has trodden on a dried stick, and a second -later a low thud, a gurgling cry, and then a second's silence. But -the stillness of the forest did not last for long, for once more the -voice of the leader of the band of rascals was heard. - -"Fire!" he shouted. "They are trying to move through the forest. -Give them a volley." - -Hardly had the words died down when from every point, from right and -left, and from the pampas even, spurts of flame lit up the darkness, -while bullets ripped through the leaves, sending a shower to the -ground, ricochetting from the trunks of the trees, and singing -through the air in a manner sufficient to awe the boldest. Some two -minutes later the gallant gaucho who had made the attempt to slip -through the hands of the surrounding enemy crawled to Dudley's side -again. - -"Alas, señor," he whispered, "the net is drawn too closely even for a -snake to escape. By an evil chance I happened to tread on a dried -stick, and in an instant one of the ruffians was upon me. He died, -señor. My blade found a spot between his shoulders, and he dropped -without a word. There were others near him, and for that reason, -seeing it was impossible to advance, I returned to warn you. We are -surrounded." - -The news was only too true. Dudley and his men were now hemmed in on -every side. Enemies surrounded them so closely that, as the gaucho -had said, even a snake stood little chance of being able to crawl -through. Their horses were captured, their retreat cut off, and the -least that could be said of their position was that it was desperate. -Surrender, a miserable ending to all their hopes and ambitions, -stared them in the face, and, worse than all, perhaps--a fact which -recurred time and again to Dudley,--the capture of his little party -meant more even than imprisonment. He could see the matter very -clearly now, and realized that once he and his men were caged there -was nothing to prevent this rascal Sarvisti from riding down on the -lands owned by Mr. Blunt and utterly annihilating all who lived -there. As if in a dream he saw the comfortable house on the estancia -in flames, and on the threshold the body of Mr. Blunt, done to death -by this enemy who had so often and in so many ways attempted to kill -him. - -"It shall never be," he said aloud, clenching his fists. "While I -live I swear that I will stop this ruffian. I will never surrender!" - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -FIGHTING IN THE FOREST - -"I will never surrender! However hopeless matters look, I will fight -these rascals, for to give in now means almost certain death to our -employer." - -Dudley gave expression to his thoughts aloud, and as he spoke brought -one clenched fist down upon the root of a tree against which he lay, -with a thud which all could hear. About him, spread full length in -the grass and brambles, and separated here and there by the trunk of -a tree, lay his little band of followers, the gallant fellows who -stood between him and capture. Grim and stern they were too, and, if -only it had been light, Antonio Sarvisti, could he have seen them, -would not have been so confident. For Dudley had already proved his -pluck to the gauchos. He had once before led them through fighting -and difficulty, and for that very reason, now that matters looked so -hopeless, they whispered to one another that their good fortune was -not yet gone, that they still had their young leader, and that he -would bring them out of this scrape just as he had done out of a -former. At his words they edged a trifle nearer, strained their -ears, and then, as the meaning of the words was interpreted to those -who had but a poor knowledge of English, they set up a cheer which -astounded the enemy. - -"The dogs!" exclaimed Antonio Sarvisti, emerging from the cover of a -tree some twenty yards away. "That cheer sounds as if they were full -of confidence. They surely can have no hope of escape, and when the -light comes they will have no other course but to surrender, for we -shall be able to shoot them down like rabbits. Eh, _amico_?" - -His sour-faced lieutenant, a gaucho who had been in the rascal's -employ for many a year, and whose predatory life seemed to have -embittered him, growled a reply, and he stood for a while beside him, -listening to the faint sound of conversation which came from Dudley's -party, while he chewed a leaf thoughtfully. It was clear that if his -employer were sanguine as to the result of this contest, this rascal -had many doubts, for he shook his head, tossed the leaf to the -ground, and carefully sheltered himself behind a tree. - -"A cheer is a cheer anywhere," he answered surlily. "We have been -expecting a call to say that they wished to surrender, and now they -set up a shout which proves that they are still of good heart. What -if the cheer means that one of their number has escaped?" - -The very idea of such a thing caused the Italian leader to grind his -teeth. But a moment's reflection reassured him. - -"Pshaw!" he exclaimed, with a somewhat feeble attempt at a laugh. -"That, we know, is not the case. They have made the attempt, and -have failed. True, the dog who tried to slip through killed one of -our number; at least that is the report brought to me. But I swear -that not even a mouse could break through. They are cooped in, and -when the dawn comes, ah!" - -"You will not be able to shoot better than they," exclaimed his -right-hand man. "Think! We are here in the forest, which is as -dense as can be. Can we see them better than they can see us? Are -we under finer cover than they? Pooh! They have a smart leader, who -took the only possible course, and for my part I believe that we have -hard work before us. That young fellow who leads them will not give -in too hurriedly. He has seen some fighting, you must remember, and -he knows the value of his position as well as you do. Besides----" - -"Besides what?" demanded Antonio, an oath escaping his lips, for the -words of his lieutenant roused his smouldering anger. "What, man? -You are ever the one to croak. What is the trouble now?" - -"I was about to say that even if this youngster were inclined to -surrender, for the sake of his own skin, there is something else -which will keep him fighting." - -"Something else? And that is something even more important than his -own skin?" exclaimed Antonio with a sneer. - -"More important still," went on the rascal beside him, seeming to -take a delight in putting the dark side to his leader. "Something -which you have often been troubled with yourself. This man Blunt is -a Britisher you say. An Italian, a Spaniard, a man of any nation you -please to pick, would perhaps have given in before now, and have -slipped away from this country. Has this man Blunt shown a sign of -doing that?" - -"Not yet," came the curt answer, "and it would have been better for -him had he done so, though I should have followed. The fool does not -know when there is danger. He has wonderful fortune. Think, man! I -have raided his estancia more than once, and set the house in flames, -and yet the fellow has escaped owing to some unforeseen chance. My -men have attacked him in Montevideo, he has been waylaid in Buenos -Ayres, and of late on the river. The dog has a charmed life. But -his fortune is gone now. This time it has come in Antonio Sarvisti's -direction." - -"With this alteration," said the man beside him, as if determined to -snatch at every chance to belittle the prospects of his own employer. -"I was saying that this man Blunt is British. This young fellow who -commands in front of us is of the same nationality, and we have met -many besides. They are dogs for stubbornness. They will often fight -when even an imbecile would see that further struggle is out of the -question and likely to lead to death, and worse than that----" - -He waited for a moment, while Antonio Sarvisti ground his teeth and -muttered beneath his breath. - -"Worse than that!" he exclaimed with rising anger. "Why, have you -nothing but croaks to give? What is this other matter?" - -"Simply this. The youth who commands is bosom friend to this Mr. -Blunt, and he knows well what surrender means to his employer. You -follow, _amico_? It is not his own skin and his own safety which -troubles him; it is the security of his employer. There! He is -British, I repeat; and men of that nation stick fast to one another. -He would rather be slain himself than let you ride over to the -estancia unexpectedly and murder his employer." - -Having given vent to all that was on his mind, and, incidentally, -roused his own rascally employer to a condition of furious anger, the -gaucho who had been speaking calmly plucked another leaf from the -overhanging branch, and proceeded to chew it thoughtfully. In his -heart the fellow was tired of this master of his. He himself was not -so young as he had been, and the constant fear of a sudden death at -the hands of his employer had already begun to prey on his mind and -unsettle him. He had had a warning of what he might expect that very -night, and he had seen many a man shot by the cold-blooded ruffian -beside him. - -There was another reason to promote his dissatisfaction with his -present employment. This gaucho had been unusually careful. He had -not spent all his ill-gotten gains, but had hoarded them; at that -very moment his mind turned to the thought of his wealth and to the -spot where it was securely hidden. - -"Pah!" he exclaimed beneath his breath. "I shall wait till this -matter is settled, and then this Antonio Sarvisti must look for -another lieutenant." - -There was silence for a while between the two men, while each was -engaged with his thoughts, which in the case of the leader of this -robber band were none of the pleasantest. For this lieutenant of his -had opened his eyes a little, and the Italian was beginning to lose -some of his confidence. He could see now that even sixty men might -not be able to help him, and that his own position in the forest was -not a whit better than Dudley's. For many minutes he pondered on the -situation, and wondered whether he should order his men to make a -rush and so capture the band. But all the conquests of this robber -band had been made by sudden and unexpected attacks. Often enough -their raids were met by single men alone, totally unprepared to -defend themselves. In consequence it was seldom that they had cause -to mourn the loss of one of their number. But on this night two had -been killed, while the shots which Dudley and his men had sent in -response to the volleys aimed at them had resulted in half a dozen -wounds amongst the enemy. The lesson had not been lost, and Antonio -Sarvisti knew in his own mind that if he gave the order some at least -of his following would not respond. There would be disobedience to -his orders, and such a thing would be fatal when matters were so -critical. - -"Pshaw! I will starve the brat and his men," he exclaimed aloud. "I -will keep a close ring drawn round him, and leave him till he makes -up his mind to surrender." - -"And what of the attack on the estancia?" his lieutenant ventured to -ask. "You will make that at once?" - -"Not till these men are taken," was the short answer. "I have none -to spare for a raid on the estancia. Wait a little, _amico_. When -the dawn comes you will see that we shall be successful." - -Even the astute Antonio could not think of everything, for had he -been able to do so he would have seen at once that he still had the -game in his own hands. He had captured the horses belonging to -Dudley's party, and had some sixty men. Had he been the energetic -and clever leader which he, in his vanity, fancied himself to be, he -would have left only a few of his men in the forest, just sufficient -to hold Dudley with their fire, and would have spurred straight for -Mr. Blunt's estancia. Once he had raided the place successfully, -what did it matter if this small party of stubborn men escaped him? -Supposing they discovered that he had withdrawn a number of his -following, they were still without their horses, and long before they -could secure them Mr. Blunt and the estancia he held would have been -attacked. True, other owners would soon know that it was from -Antonio Sarvisti's estancia that the raids came, but then he, Antonio -Sarvisti, could move to another part of the pampas. - -"For years now I have been following this man Blunt," he said to -himself, as he sheltered behind a tree. "I and my brothers slew his -wife, and would have killed him had we had fortune. What matters it -to me if all hereabout know that I hold a gang of raiders on my -place, provided I carry out the end of this vendetta? The Englishman -came to Sicily when he was not wanted. He married our cousin against -our will, and flouted us when we would have prevented him. He made -little of the quarrel which had even then existed for some years -between the two families, and for that reason he was marked for -death. He shall die! I, Antonio Sarvisti, have sworn it. As soon -as I have dealt with this beggarly youngster I will ride to the -estancia and burn the house. Yes, I will toss this man into his own -flaring dwelling." - -The darkness of the night and the deep shadows cast by the trees hid -the ruffian's snarling features; but darkness did not cloak the sound -of his voice, for he had spoken aloud. Indeed Dudley and his -comrades could hear someone speaking, faintly, it is true, but -sufficiently clear to give them the direction from which the sound -came. It was Harold who calmly raised his rifle, held the muzzle -low, and sent a shot swishing past the tree behind which the rascally -leader of this band of robbers sheltered. - -"Ah! Not frightened into surrender yet?" cried Antonio, shaking his -fist with rage. "You shall see. I will teach you when the morning -comes." - -He stared out from behind the trunk of the tree, only to withdraw -somewhat hastily, for Harold had reloaded, and a moment later sent -another shot thudding against the tree, a second reminder to Antonio -Sarvisti that matters were not so desperate for the small party -hemmed in by the circle which he had drawn about them. - -"Sixty was the number of the men he said he had with him," said -Dudley a moment later. "Do you consider that he has as many as he -says?" - -He swung round to Pepito, who at that moment was engaged in fastening -a long scarf about his wounded limb. The gaucho dropped the ends at -once, stared out into the trees, and then nodded. - -"He has as many, señor," he said with emphasis. "A ruffian out on -the pampas can have as many men as he desires. This fellow has -sixty, if he said so, and if I had been in command those men would -long ago have rushed forward and made a capture. It is a good sign. -Ruffians are often cowards. They fear to attack us. They wait for -the dawn, when they hope to be able to shoot us down. Were I one of -them, and the plan that you speak of had been formed, I would leave a -few in the trees to fire, and make it appear that there were many, -while I sent off the bigger half to raid the estancia." - -"The very thing that I fear this Antonio Sarvisti may do," said -Dudley, a note of anxiety in his voice. "Now, listen. I have said -that I refuse to surrender." - -"Hooray!" shouted Harold, gripping his hand. "That's what the men -feel about the matter. I have been speaking to a few. They will -fight to a finish." - -"Then we must prepare. We have two matters to attend to. We have to -decide how to defend ourselves, and we must send news to our -employer. If he is warned in time, no danger can threaten him, and -in addition he could, by collecting gauchos from neighboring -estancias, relieve this party, and perhaps even surround this band of -robbers. Those two points must be seen to." - -There was silence for a while as Dudley and Harold and the gaucho -leader considered the matter. To Harold and Pepito it seemed -hopeless even to consider the question of sending a warning to their -employer, for an attempt had already failed, and it was clear that -the enemy were in a close ring round them. - -"What food and ammunition have we?" asked our hero suddenly. - -"Abundance!" came the prompt answer. "The señor gave orders that -each man should ride to-night with rations for two days. Those -rations will last, at a pinch, for four days." - -"And water?" suddenly demanded Harold. - -"We have none, señor, but I had not forgotten its need. Do not -forget that a forest in this pampas region spells water, for -otherwise there would not be trees. I have been here before, and -know that there are wells. If those are out of our reach, as seems -probable, then a hole dug only a little distance into the soil will -soon be filled with fluid. As to ammunition, each man has many -rounds. Given a good position, there is sufficient here to protect -the party for many hours." - -"Then we will make the position," said Dudley, "and now I will tell -you what I am going to do. I cannot expect any of my men to -undertake a task which I do not eagerly accept myself. I place -Harold Joyce in charge of this party once I am gone, while I myself -am determined to get through these men and ride for the estancia. -Listen!" - -"You! It is madness! You are in command, and the defence depends on -your being here. You are not serious!" - -It was Harold who suddenly spoke, rising to his feet in his -excitement. But Dudley dragged him to the ground at once, and -fortunately for him, for Antonio had given recent orders that fire -should be opened whenever a sound was heard. It happened, therefore, -that hardly had Harold fallen full length again when a storm of -bullets swept over the prostrate party, showering leaves on to their -heads, and then speeding harmlessly out over the pampas. - -"I will go," repeated Dudley quietly. "It may seem to some that my -place is here, and I have already said so, and that the danger to -this party is greater than that threatening Mr. Blunt. I do not -think so now. This little following of mine is certain to be -captured as soon as its ammunition gives out, though I think that it -can hold its own till then. After that it will be captured. What -then will happen to our employer?" - -An exclamation came from either side of him, showing clearly that -Harold and Pepito knew well what would be the result. - -"Now listen to the plan," said Dudley. "Let each man make use of his -hunting knife and cut a trench in front of him. Feel here for -yourselves. The ground is soft, and I have already made quite a -respectable hollow. The earth removed from the hole has been thrown -up in front, so that, when my trench is longer I shall be able to lie -at full length and shall have splendid protection. Now if, during -the three or four hours which still must pass before the dawn comes, -we cut our trenches, and connect them up one to another, we shall -have quite a little fort to protect us, about which we shall be able -to move, with care, so as to reinforce any point which may be -attacked. In any case the whole of our trenches will cover very -little ground, for we had better keep close together. Do you begin -to follow?" - -During the last five minutes, as he lay on the ground, he had been -diligently using his knife and fingers, and, as he said, had found -the soil at the base of the trees light and loamy. Gripping Pepito's -arm, and then Harold's in turn, he placed their hands on the mound -which he had thrown up in front of him, and in a few moments showed -them plainly what he meant. - -"It is good," said the former with something approaching a chuckle. -"The señor's busy brain is at work, just as it was on the eve of our -night attack on the Indians. This fort is as good as made. In an -hour the men will have completed it. There will be a bank between us -and the enemy, and encircling us, and in the hollow within we shall -lie. Our provisions can be placed in one corner under my charge, and -also the ammunition. Then an allowance can be given to each man, and -the supply made to last all the longer, for there will be no waste. -Good, señor, I begin to fear these ruffians less. But the second -portion of your plan?" - -"Will be carried out as soon as the fort is completed," answered -Dudley, determined to keep his own counsel for the moment. "Instruct -the men, and let us get to work." - -It wanted very little tuition to inform the gauchos what was expected -from them, for, though almost devoid of education, these honest -fellows of the pampas were nature's pupils. They had roughed it from -their earliest days, and often their own safety had depended on their -sagacity. They received Pepito's whispered instructions with -enthusiasm, waited only till the limits of the narrow fort had been -marked out, and then each set to work with frantic energy, chopping -the ground with his knife, throwing handfuls of soil before him, and -gradually hollowing out the ground in his immediate rear. It is -wonderful what active men can do under such circumstances, when life -may depend on their exertions. Dudley's party had soon cleared quite -a respectable-sized hollow, and had thrown up a mound all round, on -the top of which the brambles and grass which they had cut during the -operations were deposited. Here and there a tree thrust its trunk up -in their hollow, but that only added to their cover and caused no -inconvenience, while one of them, one of the forest giants, happening -to have a large hollow at its root, provided a storehouse for food -and ammunition, over which Pepito at once took charge. As for water, -one of the gauchos set to work in the very centre of the hollow, and -in a little while had dug some three feet into the ground, scooping -the earth out with his hands. Into this shallow well water began to -trickle almost immediately, a fact which heartened the garrison and -caused them to give vent to another cheer. - -"The novelty of the idea strikes them, señor," said Pepito with a -chuckle of delight. "A little time ago matters looked desperate and -hopeless. Now they are rosy with promise. We are ready, señor. -Your orders?" - -"They are simple, Pepito. Two of the enemy were killed?" - -"Two, señor: one who sent his bullet into my thigh, and the other -whom our comrade settled." - -"It is the first we have to deal with. He lies a matter of five -yards outside our fort, I think?" - -Pepito nodded emphatically, forgetting that the darkness hid all -movement. - -"That is so, señor," he said eagerly. "I know the spot well. It is -perhaps less than five yards away. What then?" - -"I am about to borrow his clothes, that is all," came the calm -answer. "At least, I shall borrow a portion. I noticed that every -gaucho in the service of this Antonio wore a red scarf about his -neck, and a hat of different color from ours. I shall borrow those -two articles from the man who is dead, and shall then join the enemy. -Now listen to my instructions. One of you will creep away in the -direction opposite to that in which this body lies, and will cut a -narrow trench. His task is to strike the nearest tree with a stick, -and to make such sounds as will cause the enemy to think that an -attempt at escape is being made in that direction. As he lies there, -the others will fire above his head--anywhere, so long as they take -care not to hit him. They will, in particular, pay attention to that -part of the forest where the dead man lies. You understand?" - -An exclamation broke from Pepito and Harold. - -"It is all clear," said the latter. "We attract their attention to -the opposite direction, and, having searched the forest along the -path which you will be taking, and, let us hope, shot any of the -ruffians hiding there, we occupy the attention of the rascals till -you get clear. But, by Jove, Dudley, the risk is terrible." - -"Hush! There is a movement. I hear men creeping in the forest!" - -It was one of the gauchos who gave the alarm, and at once every -member of Dudley's party had taken his place behind the low walls of -the fort. - -"Someone is moving, certainly," whispered Pepito. "There, I heard -the sounds. They are coming closer." - -"Are all loaded?" asked our hero quickly. "Then let them hold their -fire till I call. Yes, it looks as if we were about to be attacked, -and in that case our defences are likely to prove useful. Tell the -men to lie at full length and keep absolutely silent. We will give -these rascals a lesson if we have the chance." - -But now the swish of leaves and the noise of many men approaching was -plainly to be heard, and every second proved to the defenders that a -forward move was being attempted by the enemy. Dudley's little -following lay as still as rocks, each man with his rifle at his -shoulder and his eyes close behind the screen of brambles thrown up -in front of him. - -"Repeat the order," whispered Dudley. "No one is to fire till I -call, and then only at the flashes made by the weapons of the enemy. -If they rush us, lie still in the hollow. That will puzzle them -badly." - -A minute later a shrill whistle sounded through the forest, and then -came a call from Antonio Sarvisti. - -"On them!" he shouted. "Pour in a volley and then charge." - -From every quarter, from the forest in front and to right and left, -and from the pampas in the rear, came the splutter of musketry, while -flashes broke out here and there, lighting up the darkness for an -instant and then disappearing, only to be succeeded by others. And -the light which they gave showed the leader of the band of robbers -and his men charging down upon the small party enclosed within their -lines. The gaucho following of Antonio Sarvisti were undertaking a -task which few appreciated. They were attacking men fully prepared -to receive them, and men, moreover, whose exact whereabouts was -unknown. They had crept as close as possible, and now, despite the -danger of wounding comrades, poured in an irregular and harmless -volley, which ripped the trees and sped away in all directions. Then -they charged, only to come quickly to a halt and commence to reload -their pieces. For not a shot answered them; not a voice was heard. -The sensation was uncanny. They began even to think that the birds -had flown. - -"Charge!" shouted Antonio again, placing himself at the head of some -of the men and advancing, revolver in hand. "Now, another volley!" - -"Fire!" cried Dudley, hearing and understanding his order. "Fire at -the flashes!" - -There was silence for one brief instant, and then once more, from -every quarter, but on this occasion from a closer range, numbers of -weapons were discharged, while from the dark hole in which the -defenders hovered a stinging reply came, each one of the gauchos -waiting his time, and aiming at the flashes made by the weapons of -the enemy. A minute later the attack had been abandoned. Antonio -Sarvisti and his men had slunk back to their old positions, while the -defenders still lay in their primitive fort, confident and brimful of -enthusiasm. - -"Just the time for me to move," whispered Dudley. "Harold, I leave -the men to you. Whatever happens, hang on to this place and hold -these rascals round you. If I get through, and can take a horse, I -shall be at the estancia by noon, and might even be back soon after -dark. If all is well, fire an occasional shot through the night. I -shall then know that you can last till morning, and will make -arrangements to attack these fellows. Now, good-by! Don't forget. -Hang out, whatever happens. We have to think not of ourselves but of -the man whose bread and butter we eat. Good-by!" - -The two gripped hands in the darkness of the forest, and lay there a -moment or two without saying a word. Then Dudley turned to Pepito. - -"Carry out the orders," he said softly, "and when I am gone look to -my comrade here for all commands. Let the men stick to him whatever -happens." - -The tall and handsome gaucho would have liked to shake his leader's -hand, and even to detain him, but Pepito was at heart a soldier, -trained to obedience, and always ready to carry out his instructions. -For one second he waited, and then, turning to the men, whispered -that the time had come to open fire, and for one of their number to -creep some few yards into the forest. Presently a hail of bullets -was sweeping through the trees, now in this direction and now in -that, searching every part, but hurtling in particular along the path -which Dudley would take. The shots died down for a while, and the -rascals, stretched in a wide circle around, heard the sounds made by -a man creeping through the trees. A stick snapped, a rifle struck a -tree and repeated the clumsy blow. Leaves were disturbed, and every -whisper told that the tiny garrison was sending someone to seek for -help. - -"Good! We will teach them," muttered Antonio. "Send a dozen men in -that direction, _amico_." - -"Time to move," whispered Dudley. "I think our comrade has attracted -their attention. Give them a few more shots as I go." - -He wriggled out of the fort, listened for a moment, and then dived -into the forest, his fingers searching in every direction for the -body of the man whom Pepito had slain. Not a sound did he make. -Those he left behind strained their ears in vain. Their leader was -gone on a quest which was full of danger, but which might yet -preserve the life of the man who employed them and save those whom -Dudley had left behind. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -A DASH FOR THE PAMPAS - -Down under the brushwood and the brambles which thickly covered the -ground between the trunks of the forest trees the darkness was -intense. So black and forbidding that Dudley imagined that he could -almost feel it and grip it in his hands. Not an inch could he see in -front of his face, for it happened that a bank of clouds had blown -across the face of the tiny crescent of the moon, which had hitherto -sent a few rays straggling here and there in between the trees, and -now not a leaf shimmered under the pale rays, not a trunk was -visible, there was no light but the occasional flare, some yards -behind him, as one of his own men opened fire. - -"Just the time for me to succeed," he thought to himself when he had -crawled a few yards on hands and knees. "I must be near the body of -the man Pepito killed, and once I reach it I shall lie still and try -to get the bearings of the enemy. Harold knows what I want. He is -to give me ten minutes to reach this man and get some cover, and then -he will open fire again in this direction." - -The whole plan had, in fact, been very carefully discussed, for all -knew that Antonio Sarvisti and his men would make the utmost effort -to stop any and every attempt at escape, and if Dudley was to succeed -it would not be by his own cunning and boldness alone, though the -attempt was hazardous enough, but by the help and co-operation of his -comrades. - -"Ah, that is fortunate! I have found him." - -A low exclamation of relief escaped his lips, for as he stretched out -one hand, groping amidst the bushes and brambles, the fingers came in -contact with the frilled edging of a man's overalls. The touch -almost sent a shiver through our hero; for the sensation of crawling -through this deep shadow was an uncanny one. True, he was almost -sure that no living enemy was within some yards of him; but yet, as -his fingers touched the man for the first time, the horrible -suspicion that it might be a gaucho lying in wait for him flashed -across his mind. He felt startled, and, withdrawing his hand, seized -his hunting knife. Then he stretched out again, ran his fingers up -the leg, and finally came to the face. - -"Cold already," he said to himself, feeling immensely relieved. "And -here is what I want, his hat and his neckcloth. Good! Now, unless -the light is strong, none will be able to detect me." - -As quickly as possible he relieved the body of hat and neckcloth and -donned them himself. Then, determined to make the most of every -second, and feeling sure that it was not yet time for Harold to open -fire in his direction, he crawled on again as stealthily as any -snake, clearing the ground before him, progressing a few inches only -at a time, and taking the utmost pains to remove all sticks from his -path. Now and again a bramble or a strong shoot from one of the -bushes opposed his onward progress, and for a time he felt as if they -were iron bars, so impossible to avoid them was it. - -"If I push them aside they will swing back certainly," he thought. -"Then, if I attempt to creep and wriggle under them they are sure to -hit against others, and the sound they will make will be heard. Ah, -my knife! That will make short work of them." - -From that moment he held the weapon in his hand, for brambles were -forever obstructing him; and besides, at that slow and careful pace -it did not hinder his progress, and was there in case of some sudden -attack. - -Crack! Twenty yards behind him there was a sharp report which -brought Dudley flat on his face, where he lay listening to the rip, -rip of the bullet as it ploughed its way through the tree tops. Then -he heard the gentle patter of falling twigs and leaves, cut in twain -by the missile. - -"Good, Harold!" he said beneath his breath. "You are a careful -fellow. That is a warning shot, just to let me know you are about to -open fire. I shall stay here. There is a big tree just behind me -now, and I am fairly secure. Fire away!" - -It seemed as if those he had left behind in the shallow trenches -scooped in the earth had heard his words, for almost instantly there -came a spluttering discharge, the flashes coming from a point on a -level with the ground, while the bullets swept the forest, striking -the trunks with resounding thuds, and often enough flying off at a -tangent, accompanied by that high- or low-pitched hum which tells of -a ricochet, a sound pleasant enough to listen to if one has perfect -cover, but sufficiently trying under other circumstances. Patter, -patter, patter. Dudley heard the gentle fall of twigs and leaves -again, and smiled grimly as he wondered what the enemy thought of it -all. - -"Perhaps they imagine we are scared," he thought. "That will be all -the better, for then they will hardly expect an attempt at escape. -Ah, there the boys go again!" - -Another spluttering volley burst from the trees behind him, while a -second later Pepito's voice was heard resounding loudly through the -forest, and undoubtedly intended for the ears of the enemy. - -"Fire, fire!" he shouted. "The rascals are crawling near. Sweep -them away! Shoot them down as they come!" - -There was a note of terror in his voice, a note which Antonio -Sarvisti distinguished with a snarl of pleasure. - -"It is not to be all for one side," he said to his surly lieutenant, -who forever hovered at his elbow. "They caught us nicely when we -attacked, and we suffered in consequence; but the attempt has had its -effect. Those fools over there have an attack of nerves. That -sudden volley was fired by men who are scared, who see ghosts in the -forest, who imagine sounds which have no existence, and who blaze -away for no reason at all. Good for us, _amico_! Their ammunition -will not last forever. We will do our best to give them many an -alarm." - -He sent a man round his following at once with orders that every now -and again a few should creep forward a few paces, making as much -noise as possible. - -"That will draw their fire," he said with a chuckle. "That will -empty their magazine and soon place them helplessly in our hands." - -Meanwhile Dudley lay flat on his face, listening intently, and -waiting patiently till the fusillade from behind him had died down. -He could hear the click of the locks as the men reloaded, could -discern Harold's voice as he directed their fire, and even caught the -far-off murmur of men talking, for Antonio Sarvisti spoke aloud to -his lieutenant. But, strain his ears as he would, there was no sound -from in front of him, nothing to denote that an enemy was lurking -there. - -"Which seems to prove that they have cleared away," he said. "We -have searched this part already with our fire, and the enemy will -have learned to avoid it. I shall be surprised if I meet a single -man. There, I think that will be Harold's last shot in this -direction for a while, so that I can soon begin to move forward." - -Ping! Crash! There was another flash behind him, proving that his -comrades had not yet finished their portion of the plan. Bang! -There came a second, quick on its heels, and then a shriek, a -bloodcurdling shriek, which rang through the forest, seeming to be -tossed backward and forward between the trees till it died down -mournfully in the distance. It was the last frantic call of a man -who had been hit, and the sound came from a point not fifteen yards -in front of our hero. - -"Hit!" he murmured, a cold chill running all over his body, for the -shriek had startled him. "Poor beggar! I imagine he thought, as I -did, that the firing was done with for a time, and sat up to listen. -That second bullet must have caught him, and probably killed him -instantly. Well, it is hard for him but fortunate for me, for he lay -right in my track." - -It was indeed a lucky shot for Dudley, but for his comrades behind it -was a very different matter. Harold Joyce, the young commander of -the party, had fired the weapon, intending that it should be the very -last to be directed along the path which Dudley was taking. He had -judged the elevation of his shot as carefully as possible considering -the darkness, and he had sent it swishing through the trees some -three feet above the ground, high enough to escape our hero's head. -But the sudden shriek dismayed him. He dropped the weapon, turned -deathly pale, and snatched desperately at Pepito's sleeve. - -"Who was that?" he demanded anxiously. "Oh, I have killed him! Do -you hear me? I have shot the best friend I have ever had, the -bravest and most generous fellow under the sun." - -He was almost weeping. There were big tears in his eyes, while the -handsome gaucho beside him heard him gulp down a sob. Harold was -thoroughly unhinged by that awful shriek. Fear that he had killed -his friend drove him frantic, and, starting to his feet, he would -have shouted aloud, had not Pepito restrained him. - -"Lie still, señor," he said in firm but friendly tones. "That call -came from a point far beyond the spot where our leader lies. I am -sure of that fact, for my ears are good. It was one of the enemy who -fell, and at this moment the señor who has so bravely gone from our -fort is lying as still as death, waiting for our fire to cease so -that he may crawl onward. Silence, señor! If you call, all these -ruffians will know that we are making an effort." - -It was true. Slowly it dawned upon Harold's brain that a call to his -friend would warn the enemy. He longed to be able to give a shout, -to send some signal to Dudley and to receive one in return. He would -even have crawled out of the fort and followed him, with the one -purpose of convincing himself that his old friend was unharmed. But -the tall, sturdy gaucho stretched beside him held him with a firm -hand, and whispered reassuringly to him, though he himself in his own -heart had also some misgiving. - -"Lie still and wait, señor," he said. "The matter is as I have said. -Our leader is alive and well; but if you call or move, the enemy will -suspect, and then----" - -There was no need to say more, for Harold understood. Discovery -would lead to almost certain execution, either promptly or at the -convenience of the enemy. For Antonio Sarvisti and his men had -suffered, and the sudden shriek from the depths of the forest had not -helped to improve their feeling for the little band about whom they -lay. The rascals, one and all, ground their teeth, and swore that -when the time came they would kill every one of these stubborn -fellows. - -"They shall receive what they deserve," growled Antonio, beside -himself with rage. "I will hang two men for each one that I have -lost, and so teach all that resistance is fatal. These dogs would -have done better to have surrendered at once, and given in to my -will. They shall learn that Antonio Sarvisti is a hard man to deal -with." - -As for Dudley, the shriek had unnerved him for a moment, and had -caused him to flatten himself even closer to the ground, and to -burrow his head beneath the brambles, for there is nothing which -makes a man wish more to sink into the earth than the ugly rip, rip -of bullets flying close overhead. Then, too, he had other missiles -to be cautious of, for that terrible call had brought answering calls -from the forest. Antonio's men shouted in their anger, and opened a -heavy fire, their bullets swishing over the fort, and cutting their -way through the forest. The flashes of their weapons blazed out here -and there, from right and left, and from the pampas; but from that -point immediately to the front, where Harold's men had swept the -underwood with their fire, there was not a flash. Not a report -sounded in that direction. - -"Then the plan succeeds so far," said Dudley. "Once I am sure that -Harold and his men have finished, I will move on again. Ah, that is -his signal!" - -The fusillade had died down now, and for the space of two minutes the -forest was sunk in silence. Then a single shot rang out, echoing -sharply amidst the trees, and once more our hero heard the bullet -burst its way through the tangled leaves far overhead, severing the -usual shower of twigs and green. - -"Time to get along," he thought. "Harold's signal is clear enough. -Now for the most difficult part of the undertaking." - -He was on his hands and knees in less than a second, and then -commenced the same cautious crawling progress through the underwood. -Twigs and dried or rotting sticks were carefully put aside, while the -knife which he still carried in his hand severed the brambles with a -slash. Not a rustle disturbed the stillness in his direction, though -here and there, as he paused again and again to listen, rose the -murmur of voices, the gentle call of men to one another. Then out -came the moon, floating from behind the clouds which had ridden -across her face. The pale rays shone down upon pampas and forest, -and, penetrating here and there, lit up a tiny patch, making brambles -and tree trunks stand out prominently. There were dozens of such -bright areas, and Dudley carefully steered his course away from them, -fearful lest the light should show him to the enemy. Then, of a -sudden, he came to a halt again. A man was standing behind a tree -some twenty yards away, his head and one shoulder illuminated by the -rays falling from above. The black, shadowy line of the tree trunk -cut across his body, hiding it from view, and leaving only the head -and shoulder visible, as well as the rifle which he gripped in one -hand. The face could be seen clearly, stern and expectant, while one -ear was turned as if the gaucho was listening intently. - -"He must have heard a suspicious sound," thought Dudley, his breath -coming fast, while his heart pattered loudly against his ribs. "Yes, -he is looking this way, and if it were not so dark I might almost -think that he saw me. Ah, he does!" - -It would have been a trying moment even for an old hand, experienced -in this forest warfare, and the reader need think none the less of -Dudley if he again shrank close to the ground and almost shivered -with apprehension. It was not only that he feared this one man. A -combination of circumstances had served to strain his nerves to -breaking pitch; the clatter of musketry, the sharp rip of the -bullets, that terrible scream, and now the uncanny silence, the -darkness of the forest with these illuminated patches, in one of -which stood one of the enemy. - -"Was he discovered? The man's eyes were surely fixed on him. He -must fire at him if he wished to escape." - -The thoughts ran through Dudley's head, and for a while he felt -bewildered. Then his old coolness returned to him, or at least a -portion of it. He realized that it was impossible for the man to -have seen him, for he lay in a wide patch of inky shadow. Perhaps he -had heard some sound, and was merely suspicious. "Ah! He was -calling." - -The face behind the tree turned suddenly, till the back of the head -was alone to be seen. Then a low call broke the silence, a call -which was answered from some distance away. Presently a crash amidst -the brushwood told that someone was moving, and as Dudley stared at -the brilliant patch, one of the gauchos appeared, a hulking, -slouching rascal, with surly features, between whose strong teeth was -held a leaf which he was busily chewing. Immediately a second came -upon the scene, a squat, ugly fellow whom he recognized at once as -the leader of this band of desperadoes. - -"If they rush at me I will get behind this tree and shoot them down," -he thought, keeping his eyes on the trio, while he slipped one hand -down to the pouch in which his revolver rested. "But they are not -certain. The man only thinks he heard a sound. Perhaps they will go -away." - -"What is it?" demanded Antonio as he joined the two gauchos. "You -called, _amico_? Did you see or hear anything?" - -Dudley saw the eyes of the ruffian flash as he turned towards his -man, for the moon fell directly upon his upturned face. He longed to -know what was passing between them. - -"Hear anything?" was the answer. "How can a man say? Perhaps it was -the wind, perhaps a twig dropping from the tree tops, shot away by -the dogs. I thought I heard a fellow moving, but that was two -minutes ago. Listen, and you may be wiser than I am." - -The three stood in the illuminated patch for perhaps five minutes, -making not so much as a sound, while from the poise of their heads it -was clear that they were listening. Then Antonio gave a gesture of -disgust, and swung round on his heel. - -"Ghosts, ghosts! always the same!" he exclaimed angrily. "You men -are always seeing and hearing what does not exist. There is Bico, -down on the opposite side. An hour ago he swore that he saw someone -moving on his right and fired. It was a tree, and his bullet is -buried deep in the trunk. But you are a careful man. You are wise -to take note of even the smallest sound. However, it is not on this -side that we need expect an attempt at escape. It is yonder, close -to the pampas. Move to your right and you may be the lucky one to -discover one of the dogs." - -He turned again, stared into the forest, and was moving away, when -once more a shot startled the silence, a shot which came from the -fort burrowed at the roots of the trees behind Dudley. Crisp and -clear it came, and, as fortune would have it, not a tree trunk stood -in the way of the muzzle. It flew direct to the object at which it -had been aimed, and in an instant Antonio's surly lieutenant was -down, dropping without a sound in the very centre of the little -clearing. A moment later Antonio and the other gaucho were gone, -slinking away to another part of the forest. - -"A good shot, and one which will help me immensely," thought Dudley. -"It has cleared the way nicely, and now, with a little luck, I should -be able to get through." - -On hands and knees again, feverish with the desire to get through the -encircling line, and yet curbing his impatience--for haste here might -mean failure and death,--he slid in under the brambles, burrowed his -path amidst the trees, and, inch by inch, foot by foot, gradually -increased his distance from the fort he had left behind. - -The minutes were like hours, the crackle of a feeble, mouldering leaf -under his knee sounded to him in his overstrung condition like a -rifle report, while the thud of one of the enemy's rifles against a -distant tree was crushing in its intensity. It brought him to a -halt, palpitating, with perspiration streaming from his forehead. - -"No, not discovered! He was a funk, a coward, to be startled so -easily. Was he a baby, a little child, to be frightened because a -leaf crackled, or a twig fell from a neighboring tree? A fine fellow -the gauchos had allowed to make this attempt!" - -Dudley ground his teeth with rage. He was furious with himself for -being so nervous, for showing so much fear. Time and again he called -himself a coward, a craven, fit only to cook for the men and not to -lead them; and then gradually he became calmer. He was a plucky lad -at heart, and, if he could only have realized it, there was ample -reason for all his fears. - -Even a grown man would have had his nerves braced to the highest on -this dark night, and why therefore should he be ashamed? His old, -gallant spirit returned. He groped his way forward with more energy -now, till the inches and feet had grown to yards, till the murmur of -the rascals surrounding the little band of comrades near the pampas -was lost in the distance. He was clear. The enemy was behind him, -and now all that remained was to steal a horse and gallop away. - -"I can smell them," he suddenly exclaimed, under his breath. "In a -place like this, where there is little wind, and many horses are -placed together, it is not by any means impossible. They are over -there. I am sure of it." - -Lifting his head he stood for a moment or two sniffing the air, and -was at length convinced that he was not in error. For, as he had -said, in an enclosed place like that, with little wind, and that -blowing in his face, a keen-scented man can easily detect the -neighborhood of the horse lines. Dudley delayed no longer. He was -standing to his full height now, for the forest was not so thick -here, and he at once set off for the spot where he imagined the -horses to be. And presently a glimmer came to his eyes. Something -red was shining between the trunks a hundred yards away, something -which, as the distance decreased, proved to be a camp fire, with a -kettle suspended over it. The flare from the crackling wood lit up -the surroundings, showing the blankets of Antonio's men, tumbled -haphazard upon the ground, spare boxes of ammunition, bags of food, -and some dozen saddles. Steam, and a savory odor, were issuing from -the kettle which sang over the flames, while away to the right the -firelight showed a horse, the first of a long line picketed beyond -him. - -"At last," thought Dudley, his heart beating fast with joy. "There -are the horses, and if I creep round to the far side, so as to be -well away from the fire, I ought to have no difficulty in cutting one -of the picket ropes and slipping away. By Jove! How good that stuff -smells boiling in the kettle. I'm hungry and could eat a meal. But -there's no time; I have the others to think about." - -Skirting the edge of the forest, and just outside the range of the -firelight, he came within five minutes to the line of horses. Many -were asleep as if they had had a hard day, while some were cropping -the grass at their feet. Dudley inspected them carefully, and, -having made his choice, boldly severed the picket rope of the finest -of the animals. - -"A splendid beast," he said to himself, "and one which will require -some catching. Now I want a second, and then, once I have led them -far enough away, we'll show our heels to these rascals. To-morrow at -noon I ought to be at the estancia." - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -ANTONIO SARVISTI IS SURPRISED - -Dudley was safely through the close ring which the band of robbers -had thrown around that small corner of the forest where his gauchos -lay. He could hear the reports of their rifles well behind him now, -for an occasional shot was fired so as to intimidate the besieged and -keep them from moving till the dawn came, when Antonio Sarvisti -promised himself and his men that a quick end would be made of the -party. Yes, Dudley was through them, right in their rear, and on the -outskirts of the clearing occupied by their horses. - -"This fellow should carry me across to the estancia at a fast -gallop," he said, as he inspected the horse he had chosen, looking -critically at his legs, and helped in his examination by the few -flickering rays which came from the dancing flames of the fire. "A -good, strong horse, with not too much bone. The fellow to carry my -weight fast and far. Now for a second, and then away. They all seem -to have bridles on, so that I shall have nothing to wait for, for I -don't want a saddle. Ah, this is a likely-looking animal!" - -Even now, when escape seemed so certain, he would not allow his -eagerness to be away, out of the clutches of the rascals, to cause -him to make a hasty choice. Life and liberty, after all, might -depend more on the animals he chose than on his own courage and -discretion. He might be followed. The pursuit might be kept up -right to the borders of Mr. Blunt's estancia; and even if that were -not the case, the lives of his comrades depended entirely on the -swiftness with which he could reach friends. - -"This is the fellow for my second," he said with decision, passing -slowly down the line till he came to a fine roan, a shapely animal, -which turned its handsome head to look at the stranger, and, as if it -recognized a friend in him, whinnied gently. - -"Whoa! Silence, boy! Sleep, for you will not be wanted till -morning." - -A voice rang out in the stillness, causing Dudley to drop instantly -on hands and knees and shelter behind the heels of the long line of -picketed horses. A man was crossing the firelit clearing, a fellow -dressed like a gaucho, but of darker color. He wore a handkerchief -of brilliant color about his head, and a belt of the same material -round his waist, a belt which protruded at one point, where a -revolver was thrust under it. - -"An Indian," thought Dudley, watching the man as he sauntered across -to the horses. "Probably a slave, or a general servant, or perhaps -the cook. Yes, that is what he is." - -There seemed to be no doubt about that matter, for the man who had -called out, and who had so unexpectedly made his appearance, -sauntered to the fire and stirred the contents of the kettle with a -big wooden spoon. Dudley saw him lift the spoon to his lips and -taste the contents, evidently with appreciation. Then he threw a -stick or two on to the fire, prodded the ashes with another, and -having assured himself that all was well there, strolled across to -the horses. - -"Sleep, my beauties," he said, patting the one which had whinnied, -and talking to him in soothing tones. "Sleep and be happy. You will -be undisturbed." - -He suspected nothing. The good-natured fellow, for that he seemed to -be, had not the faintest idea that within a couple of yards of him, -stretched at the heels of the very horse he was caressing, lay one of -the party his masters were attacking. The cook had wonderfully sharp -eyes, for he had been brought up on the Indian pampas, and had, -indeed, lived a wild life till this Antonio persuaded him to act as -cook to the band under his command. But even sharp eyes cannot -penetrate inky darkness, for, where Dudley lay, the long line of -picketed horses cast a dense shadow. The man patted another horse, -which had turned an inquisitive head and had looked at the intruder -with sleepy eyes. Then he sauntered away again and stood by the -fire, till a shot in the forest caught his attention. - -"At it again," he said aloud. "Perhaps that means that the end is -coming, and our fellows are about to wipe the rascals out. Not that -I don't think that they are plucky. They are quick, to be sure, and -that trick they played would even have beaten our Indians. It was -smart to dismount suddenly and take the very cover which our men had. -I'll go and look on. I would not miss the end for anything." - -He cast a glance at the fire, stirred the contents of his steaming -kettle again, and then sauntered off into the forest in the direction -from which the report of the rifle had come. - -"Evidently he is the only man out of the firing line," thought -Dudley, "so that I can now expect to be alone till he comes back. By -then I shall be gone. Quiet, boy! It's I. Don't you remember?" - -He rose to his feet noiselessly and passed between the horses. The -one on his left was asleep, his head dangling till his nose was not -far from the ground. But the one he had selected was wide awake, and -again turned and whinnied. Dudley slipped his hand along the neck -and down the chin till he came to the picketing rope. A slash from -his knife severed it, and then, having already made sure that there -were no heel ropes, he backed the fine animal out of the horse lines -by gently pulling on his bridle. - -Hush! There was someone entering the clearing again, and for the -moment operations must be suspended. If it was the black cook, no -doubt his curiosity would take him away again, and then would be -Dudley's opportunity. But movement now was certain to be detected, -and though he would have a start he still remembered that he had to -pass through the forest to reach the pampas, and that once there he -might find his escape cut off by gauchos posted on the plains and -provided with horses. He stood still, peering between the horses, -while with a gentle pull at the bridle he urged the one he held into -its place again. - -"Not the cook this time," he said, feeling as if all his plans would -be ruined. "There are three of them, and--yes--the cook is there -too. That is a piece of very bad luck; the fellows are going to sup." - -Three gauchos had indeed come into the clearing, and stood in the -firelight, silhouetted sharply, and with their backs turned to -Dudley. The fourth figure was that of the native cook, and he at -once produced some tin platters and pannikins, and provided each of -the gauchos with a meal. Then he brought a stone bottle of big -proportions and filled the pannikins from its contents. - -The delay was exasperating, and for a time Dudley fidgeted and -fretted, fearful that discovery might come at any instant, and well -knowing that every minute of the remaining darkness was of the utmost -importance to him. The minutes dragged painfully along, while the -four robbers chatted at their ease. It seemed that they would never -go. However, a fifth individual now entered, and at his coming the -three gauchos promptly drank up the contents of their pannikins and -disappeared. The newcomer was Antonio Sarvisti, the leader, who -never took his eyes off his following if he could help it, for he was -suspicious of everyone. He scowled at his gauchos now, pointed to -the forest, and bade them return. - -"Time you were back," he said curtly. "You have been away too long -already, and seem to forget that there are comrades to be fed. Now, -boy, something to eat and drink. Then a cigar, and I will see -whether I cannot rouse the fellows to attack again. Food and drink -do wonders. Matters brighten when a man is comfortable, and maybe we -shall capture those rascals before the dawn comes. Up to the top, -boy, and stand ready to refill it." - -He gripped the tin pannikin, swung his head back, and gulped the -contents down at a draught, holding the pannikin out to be refilled, -while he gasped for breath. - -"That is good," he said. "The stew smells excellent, and reminds a -man that he has not had a bite for many hours. Now, get along to the -men and order the next batch to come and feed." - -The squat figure seated on the top of an upturned saddle seemed -bigger than usual. The flickering light cast by the flames magnified -the leader of the brigands, till in Dudley's eyes he seemed to be of -vast dimensions. But it was not that which frightened him; it was -the words which he had heard, the order which had been given, and -which he had been able to understand. More men were to come to the -clearing. For an hour or more the place would be tenanted, and by -then the dawn would be dangerously near. He must move now. He must -risk it. - -"Yes, I must risk it," he repeated to himself. "And as I am sure to -be followed at once I will take only one of the horses. The other -would perhaps delay me, for I have to pass through the forest." - -But still he watched the ruffian seated by the fire, while he slid -one hand along to the bridle of the fine animal he had selected. The -horse moved, turned its shapely head, and whinnied again, as if -impatient to get away. As for Antonio, he was in the act of draining -his pannikin, but stopped abruptly and swung round on his seat. -Then, as if he were suspicious, he came running across to the horses -and passed swiftly along the front of the line, examining each picket -rope as he passed. - -"Ah! Loose!" he exclaimed, as he found one dangling from the -headstall. "And this has been cut with some sharp instrument." - -There was a note of alarm in his voice now, for he stood opposite the -very animal which Dudley was about to remove, and held the severed -end of the picket rope towards the light. Someone was meddling with -the horses, he was sure, and at once, without hesitation, he slipped -between the animals as if he were already certain that the marauder, -whoever he might be, lay at their heels. Nor was he disappointed. -In the shadow cast by the fine beast Dudley had selected, Antonio's -eyes detected a dark figure, erect and motionless. He stared at the -man, called to him as if to make sure that he was not one of his: own -gauchos, and then slid one hand down to his revolver. But he never -drew the weapon, for our hero was too quick for him. Discovery was -certain now, he knew, and in the few seconds which passed while the -leader of the brigands was coming towards him he had formed his -plans. He had drawn his revolver, and held it by the muzzle at arm's -length. Then he saw Antonio, slip between the horses, and heard him -call. It was time to act, and as it happened this rascally Italian -helped the plans which Dudley had made, for he stood so that a -flickering ray from the fire fell on his face. The mark was a good -one, and within easy distance. In an instant the revolver swung back -a foot, and then, launched with all the force of which Dudley was -capable, it flew forward, struck the forehead of the rascal who had -called, and knocked him senseless to the ground. - -"My turn this time," said Dudley, as he ran forward to regain his -weapon. "Now I fancy there is nothing to prevent my getting away. -Whoa, lad! Stand there a moment while I fetch your comrade. Ah! -here's a bolas rope which will make you fast to a tree." - -He had hit upon a coil of rope attached to the blanket strap which -the horse wore, and in a twinkling had secured the animal to a tree -close by. Then he ran off for the second, which he found standing -drowsily where he had left it, and unmindful of the fact that its -picket rope was gone. It was a fine, big beast, and Dudley decided -to ride it at first in preference to the other. - -"He is strong and will carry me fast. The other fellow is a stayer," -he thought, "and if he has no weight to carry till I want him will -take me away from anything the enemy possess. Now to mount and slip -out of the forest." - -He placed the animals side by side, and made ready to mount, no easy -matter when a horse is big and has no saddle. He stepped back a pace -so as to obtain a run, and in doing so kicked an object lying on the -ground. It was Antonio Sarvisti, alive and breathing without a -doubt, but stunned and unconscious. Dudley had almost forgotten his -existence, once his lucky shot had disposed of his interference. But -now, as he accidentally came upon him again, a sudden thought caused -him to delay his departure. - -"Supposing he comes to and gives the alarm," he said. "That would be -bad in every way, for even if they did not catch me, they would know -that someone had ridden for help, and might decamp before the gauchos -could surround them. Now, if I can get rid of this ugly fellow, his -own men will hardly miss him for an hour or two, for who is to say -that he is not in the forest? Then there is just a chance, a small -one it is true, that the men from our estancia might be able to reach -this place in time. His following will be uncertain how to act. -That means delay, and with a little luck on our side--yes, I'll take -him." - -Once his mind was made up he did not hesitate. In a twinkling he had -disarmed the unconscious man, and then, working as swiftly as -possible, he bound his hands tightly together. Now came the most -difficult portion of the task. He bent over Antonio, gripped him -beneath the arms, and lifted him. - -"Hurrah! Not nearly so heavy as I thought he would be," he said. -"Up you go, and there you stay till we reach the estancia!" - -With a heave he pushed the form of the Italian on to one of the -horses, placing his legs astride the beast. Then the rope came into -service again. The feet were secured together, and a length of the -rope passed round horse and man, so as to keep Antonio from slipping. - -"If I go slowly and carefully I think he will stay in the position in -which I have placed him," said Dudley, looking critically at his -work, for where he and the horses stood an occasional flicker of -firelight reached, just sufficient to help him. "Now to get out of -the forest, and by then I hope this ugly fellow will have recovered -from the blow my revolver gave him. It was a nasty one, and has cut -his forehead badly. However, he is merely stunned, and when he comes -to I shall have to frighten him. Up we go!" - -He was in the very best of spirits, for during the last quarter of an -hour fortune had favored him in such a remarkable manner that it -seemed to him that even the future was brightened and looked more -promising. But still he did not forget that the enemy were close at -hand, and that every minute might see the Indian cook and another -batch of men come to the fireside for a meal. He scrambled on to the -back of the spare horse, taking a little run before he sprang, for he -had selected a big animal. Then, having gathered up the reins, and -taken those of the other horse in his hands, he sat quietly -listening. Now and again he heard a call from the forest, and on two -occasions a sharp report rang out, to which, almost instantly, there -came an answering shot from the farthest edge of the forest, -evidently sent from the little fort which he had so lately left. - -"Good! The boys are well and safe. Now for the last part of the -adventure." - -He shortened the reins, dug his heels into the horse he bestrode, and -guided the animals into a narrow track which passed in between the -trees. In a moment he had passed out of the firelight, beyond the -circle of the clearing in which the enemy's camp lay, and was -surrounded by the forest. The darkness became intense again, though -here and there he caught sight of a flickering patch of light where -the rays of the moon penetrated through some gap in the leaves -overhead. As he looked at them his mind returned to that other patch -in which he had so suddenly discovered one of the gaucho enemy, and -to which Antonio and his lieutenant had been called. He remembered -how breathlessly he had watched them, with what feelings of relief he -had realized that they had no suspicion of his presence. How they -had discussed the matter, and how, with tragical suddenness, a shot -had rung out from the trenches behind, bringing the sulky lieutenant -to the ground. - -"Ah, a bigger patch!" he suddenly exclaimed, his eyes falling upon a -long streak. "That looks as if there were a track of some sort, and -if so it will suit me well. After all, if this ruffian has used the -forest as cover for his white and Indian raiders, there must be -tracks here and there, as well as clearings in which the stolen -cattle are herded. I'll try this one, and see where it leads me." - -He guided the horses into the patch he had observed, and was -delighted to find that he had gained a narrow patch, almost overgrown -here and there by the brambles and underwood, which were swift to -invade every open space. It led away to the right, parallel with the -edge of the forest, and would therefore take him at every step -farther from the enemy. But swift progress was impossible. It was -necessary to be careful, for any unusual noise would certainly bring -the gang of robbers about him. Restraining his impatience, -therefore, he walked his horses on for a mile, when the track became -even narrower. Then suddenly it emerged into a tiny clearing, into -which the rays of the moon streamed brightly, showing two other -tracks, one leading to the right and the other turning off abruptly -to the left. - -"The first returns to Antonio's house, no doubt," said Dudley, -halting to look at them. "The other is the one for me. It leads to -the pampas. In half an hour I shall be there. Ah, you are coming -round, I think! Well, I must hurry, for just here a shout from you -would be dangerous, while out on the pampas you can call till you are -tired." - -A deep sigh, a long, indrawn breath, had come from the prostrate -figure secured to the second horse, and Antonio's ugly head turned -just a trifle. But the man did not regain consciousness. His -breathing was still shallow and hardly perceptible, while beneath the -ghostly rays of the moon his face looked deathly pale against the -black beard which clothed it. Dudley stared at the man with the -utmost aversion. He had disliked him before, when for the space of a -few hours he was his guest. There was even then something -indefinable about the ruffian which had repelled him. And now that -something was even more pronounced. If ever there were a villain, it -was this Antonio; and again and again did our hero thank his good -fortune that he had the man secure and disarmed. However, it was -neither the time nor the place for soliloquizing, and promptly he -kicked his mount with his heels, and set off down the track he had -selected at a gentle amble, which soon brought him to the confines of -the forest, where he could look out at the pampas, the smooth, -grass-grown plain shimmering in the white moonlight and seeming -almost to welcome him. He could hear the whisper of the long grass -as the wind swept across it, while the rustle and shake of the leaves -overhead seemed to mingle harmoniously with the sound. But though he -strained his ears, there was nothing else to be heard, not a call, -not even one of those sharp reports which had echoed through the -forest at frequent intervals. - -"And no one in sight," he said, his spirits rising higher as the -seconds flew. "I must be a couple of miles to the right of our men, -and, I think, well clear of the enemy. Here goes for a smart canter." - -He halted a few moments longer to make sure that his prisoner was -secure in the position he had placed him in, and then, so that there -should be no doubt as to his remaining there, he pulled the led horse -in still closer, till its flank was jammed against his knee, and his -free hand gripped Antonio's shoulder. - -"I'll warrant he will not slip now," he said, "and when he comes to -he'll be so close that I shall be able to deal with him. Come along, -boys! We've a fine gallop before us." - -He shook his reins and touched his mount with his heels. The two -fine horses set off at a trot on to the pampas, and then at a call -from Dudley broke into a canter, which soon became a gallop, not one -of those headlong rushes which fire the blood of men and horses too, -but a strong, fast gallop, which a pampas horse can keep up for many -a mile, and which demands little if any exertion from the rider. In -this way five miles were rapidly covered, Dudley keeping his horses -well in hand, while he gripped Antonio firmly and held him in the -position in which he had placed him. But a groan came from the -unconscious man now, and within a minute there was a movement of the -shoulder which Dudley was gripping. Pulling firmly on his reins, he -slowly brought the animals to a standstill and turned to look at his -prisoner. Antonio was conscious once more. As Dudley stared at him -the ruffian's wicked little eyes scintillated under the moon's rays. -The brows were puckered and drawn down, while the whole expression of -his face denoted wonder, dawning consciousness, and increasing -knowledge of his position. His teeth grated together, his breath -came a little faster, and then, as Dudley released his hold, the -prisoner sat up suddenly, opened his mouth, and shouted with all the -vigor of his lungs: - -"Help, help! To the rescue!" - -He struggled to free himself from the rope which secured him to the -horse, and tugged at the lashings which secured his hands. He was -desperate. Consciousness had returned fully to Antonio, and with it -had come all his old ferocity. If it were not for his bonds he would -tear this rascal to pieces; he would shoot him again and again, he -would---- - -Suddenly he realized the futility of struggling. In a flash he -guessed that nothing but a knife could sever the lashings which held -him. But he still had his voice, and once more he bellowed aloud. -Then he looked again at his captor, and, noting the smile on his -lips, ground his teeth with rage. - -"If you are ready, we will ride on," said Dudley slowly. "And as we -are to be companions, it will be as well to understand each other. -Now, if I were you, and our positions were reversed, I have little -doubt that you would shoot me. In fact, if I had shot you just now -when you shouted, I should have been perfectly justified. But, you -see, there is no one to hear on the pampas. We are alone, _amigo_, -and you are now miles from your friends. When you are ready we will -gallop on again, but I warn you any attempt on your part to break -away will be met by a bullet. You understand? I know the class of -man I have captured. I mean to keep you safely till I can hand you -over to our men, and then----" - -Even to a ruffian like this he did not like to be harsh, and stopped -in the middle of his sentence. For Dudley knew, as well as the -ruffian beside him, that capture meant one thing alone. On the -pampas a horse thief met with scanty mercy, while a robber had but -short shrift. Antonio Sarvisti was certain to be hanged at the first -opportunity, and it was more than likely that he would then be -riddled with bullets, that being the summary justice of the pampas. - -No need, indeed, to tell this ruffian what would happen. At that -moment the thought of what was in store for him was uppermost in his -brain. His teeth grated again in a manner which made Dudley's blood -run cold. He strove frantically to free his hands, and then, as if -determined to make one more effort, he gave vent to a third shout, -his voice rolling across the pampas. Almost instantly there came an -answering call, one of those long hallos so common with the gauchos. -It was repeated again and again, and then, as Dudley turned pale and -swung round to face the direction from which the calls came, some -twenty horsemen came into view, galloping madly towards them across -the pampas. - -It was Antonio's turn to grin and smile. His lips curled back from -his fine white teeth, and he glared away at the oncoming horsemen and -then at his captor with such a malevolent expression that Dudley -shivered. He was caught. The tables had been suddenly turned, it -seemed, and already flight was almost out of the question. Still, -while there was life there was hope, and at once, gathering up the -reins again, he set the horses in motion, and, swinging them round, -set off at a rapid gallop, determined to escape himself if it were -possible, and to carry his prisoner with him. - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -BROUGHT TO BOOK - -"Hallo! Hallo! Stop there! Dudley! Harold!" - -It was no ordinary man who sent those words rolling over the moonlit -pampas, but a giant, possessed of lungs as powerful as a blacksmith's -bellows. There could be no mistaking the voice, and in a second -Dudley was pulling frantically at his reins, shouting back with his -head turned as much as possible, while hope, the certainty of succor -and of safety, sent the blood rushing through his veins. His spirits -went up with a jump. In an instant what had seemed a desperate -position was entirely changed. Mr. Blunt was there, riding swiftly -after him, for no one else on the pampas possessed such a voice. - -"Halt! If you are a friend, halt at once; if an enemy, halt all the -sooner." - -As if to impress the fugitive, a sharp crack resounded some way -behind, and a pistol bullet whizzed high overhead. - -"Whoa! Pull up, boys! Steady! There, stand like that, or you will -shake the life out of our friend here. Ahoy! Mr. Blunt! It's -Dudley!" - -Sitting as high as was possible in the absence of a saddle and -stirrups, Dudley waved one free hand deliriously in the air and -shouted at the pitch of his voice. He was frantic with excitement. -A huge weight of trouble seemed to have fallen from his young -shoulders in the space of a few seconds, for he knew that he himself -was secure now, and, more than that, that his comrades lying in their -trenches in the forest were also secure. But how was it that these -horsemen had so suddenly appeared, for Mr. Blunt's estancia was many -miles away? What had brought them out across the pampas, and in the -dead of night? Dudley shouted again, and then, turning his horses, -rode back towards the newcomers, his free hand now gripping his -prisoner's shoulder. For Antonio had collapsed. His brain, still -somewhat muddled by the crushing blow which Dudley's pistol had given -him, had nevertheless rapidly discovered the real condition of -affairs. Hardly a minute before, a sardonic grin, the grin of a man -who has triumphed, had made a naturally repulsive face perfectly -hideous. He had even gone to the length of taunting his captor. But -now, when he realized that his hopes were gone, that he was more than -ever a prisoner, and that there could be but one end, this -cold-blooded rascal, who had infested the pampas, who had caused ruin -to many estancia owners, and who had never forgotten some stupid -grudge which he owed Mr. Blunt, collapsed and became unconscious -again. He fell forward on to the horse's neck and lay there, with -his head dangling towards the ground. However, before Mr. Blunt and -the gauchos had ridden up, the prisoner was conscious again and -sitting up. But his was not the pose of a man in the best of -spirits. The rascal's courage was gone at last. He sat his mount as -if some huge weight were crushing his shoulders, and his cruel and -twinkling eyes looked furtively at his captor and then at the figure -of the foremost of the newcomers. - -"Thank God, it's Dudley! What has happened, lad? Who is this -fellow?" - -In his own impulsive manner the owner of the neighboring estancia -galloped up to our hero, reined in his horse with iron fingers, and -then stretched out a big hand to grip that of his young manager. And -there the two sat, unable to speak for a few seconds, while the -gauchos, with Pietro at their head, surrounded the little party, -uttering cries of astonishment, and looking wonderingly at the -Englishman who was in their midst and at the bearded repulsive -stranger lashed to the horse beside him. - -"Who is this fellow?" demanded Mr. Blunt sternly, releasing Dudley's -hand and riding closer so as to inspect the prisoner. "We heard -shots. The men at our outpost corral reported that firing was to be -heard somewhere in this direction, and, happening to be spending the -night with them, I brought a strong party out on to the pampas. The -firing got louder as we rode, and we were sure it came from the -forest, from the direction of the estancia which you and your men -were to visit. We were suspicious, and were wondering whether we -should advance at once or send back for more men, when we heard a -shout. Then--why, great powers, I know this fellow!" - -Antonio had kept his head averted all this while, but a sudden -movement, a half-turn of the horse to which he was lashed, had swung -him round, and in a moment Mr. Blunt was staring into a dark, -forbidding face, clothed with a matted beard, and displaying at that -second a variety of expressions, fear and hate mingled strangely -together. Antonio Sarvisti had known from the very first who the -newcomer was. The voice was sufficient, and how he hated that! Then -there was the huge figure, the commanding presence of the burly -Englishman, with his direct way of speaking, his open-hearted manner, -all of which reminded this rascal of past days, of a man whom he had -disliked from the first, and against whom, for some foolish, fancied -cause, he had sworn to be revenged. Men of his stamp and country -were not the ones to reason such matters out. Blind unreasoning hate -had kept him to his purpose, and he had persevered, always to be met -by failure. - -"So this ruffian is your prisoner?" said Mr. Blunt, recovering from -his astonishment. "Tell me all about his capture. What has -happened?" - -He sat stockstill on his horse while Dudley recounted how he and his -party had visited the estancia of Antonio last of all, how their -suspicions had been aroused, and how, while returning to look further -into the matter, they had been caught in an ambush. Then he related -his own escape, his meeting with the leader of the band of robbers, -and his final ride for freedom. - -"Then I understand that at the present moment there are some -fifty-five brigands lying in the forest ready to attack our men," -said Mr. Blunt quietly, as if he were reviewing the whole position. -"They probably know nothing of the capture you have made, and are -simply waiting for the dawn. It will be here in an hour, perhaps, -though it will still be dark in the forest. I have thirty men here." - -"Thirty-four, señor," corrected Pietro. - -"Thirty-four, then, of whom two will be required to take charge of -this rascal. The others are at your service, Dudley. How do you -propose to make use of them?" - -He was going to place the whole affair in his manager's hands. Mr. -Blunt was not the man to interfere where interference was -unnecessary, and now he determined that Dudley should see the matter -through, and, having done so much, should extricate the little party -which he had commanded. - -"Time is short," he said curtly. "We had better be moving. What -plan do you suggest?" - -"There is one, and one only," was the answer. "Divide the men. Send -twenty along the face of the forest till opposite our party, with -instructions to move the flanks forward and so enclose the robbers. -I will lead the others by the path I followed, and we will seize the -horses. Then we shall have them completely, for with men outside -them, and our fellows in the middle of their circle, they will be -unable to move. They will be between two fires. Warn the men here -to be careful when they shoot, for they might hit their comrades. -Will that do?" - -"Take charge of this ruffian," commanded Mr. Blunt, swinging round to -the men. "You all wish to come with us, I know, but this duty must -be seen to. Select two of your number, and let us be going. Now, my -friends, I want ten men who will follow our young manager." - -Like lightning the tale which Dudley had narrated had flown round the -circle of gauchos, and had been interpreted to those who could not -understand English. Their grinning faces showed their pleasure, and -now, at Mr. Blunt's words, they hung back sheepishly at first, -fearful in the case of every man that he would be selected to guard -the prisoner; while, as the call came for ten to follow Dudley, some -thirty-four pair of heels drove as many spurs into the horses, -causing them to bound forward in a mass. - -Mr. Blunt laughed. "That is the result of popularity," he said, -smiling at Dudley. "Some obtain fame in one way, some in another. -It would appear that my manager has a reputation as a leader and a -fighter. Come, lads? ten only are required. I did not ask for -thirty-four." - -He took Dudley by the sleeve, and together they rode away from the -men, who quickly settled the question. Five minutes later the two -parties were crossing the pampas at a gallop, while in rear of them -stood three solitary horsemen, one bound to his mount, crest-fallen -and desperate, while the other two, tall, well-set-up gauchos, gazed -after their comrades with envious eyes, and then turned to scowl at -their prisoner. - -"To think," growled one of them, "that you and I are left behind -because of this hound. Tales have been spreading, and, if they are -true, it is this fellow who has sent the Indians to us so often, and -who has had our master attacked down in the settlements. And now he -keeps us here, swinging our heels, when we should have been with our -comrades paying off the scores we owe to these robbers." - -His comrade nodded with energy. He quite agreed that this last -offence was an enormity, and scowled at Antonio in no very friendly -manner. - -"Pampas law for him," he said, rolling a cigarette. "There's a tree -down by the corral which will bear his weight. To-morrow, perhaps, -he will be dangling." - -The sky was getting brighter away to the east as Dudley led his -little following into the forest. They had ridden with their -comrades till the dark line of the trees came into sight, and then, -having halted to point out to his employer the precise position of -the robbers and the gallant band they surrounded, a position which he -remembered because of a patch of trees higher than the others, they -had galloped on rapidly so as to reach the horses before the others -were discovered. They threaded the narrow track which Dudley had -followed, found the clearing into which three of these paths opened, -and finally rode slowly along that which led to the clearing in which -the fire burned, and where doubtless some of the robbers were even -then having a meal. - -"Halt!" A whispered word from Dudley brought his small force to a -standstill, for the flickering rays of a fire had penetrated to the -path along which they were riding. "Wait," said the young leader. -"I will go forward and reconnoitre." - -Slipping from his mount he ran along, bent almost double, and very -soon was on the very edge of the clearing. The fire still burned -there as brightly as ever, and seated near it, on upturned saddles or -on the ground, were four of the enemy, while the jovial features of -the Indian cook were clearly seen, for he stood over the fire -stirring his kettle, from which he had just filled the pannikins of -the men. Evidently the loss of two horses and of their leader had -not been discovered, and everything promised well for Dudley and his -party. He slipped back to them, and in a twinkling they were moving -forward. - -"Four take charge of the horse lines, while the rest cover the enemy -with their rifles," he said. "Trot! We must get along." - -Following one another in Indian file, for the path was too narrow for -two to ride abreast, the little cavalcade were not long in reaching -the clearing. They burst into the open space, spread out so as to -surround the enemy there, and before the latter had recovered from -their astonishment had them covered with their rifles. It was -comical to see the look of dismay which overspread the once jovial -face of the Indian cook. He seemed paralyzed with terror, and stood -precisely in the same spot where Dudley had seen him, his mouth -agape, his eyes bulging from their sockets, while he mechanically -continued to stir the contents of his steaming kettle. - -"Hands up!" cried Dudley. "You are surrounded, and if one of you -attempts to lift his rifle, that man will be shot." - -Whether or not the men understood what he said, they at least -gathered his meaning from his gestures, and more even from the sight -of the rifles which covered them. They had already dropped their -pannikins, and now they huddled themselves together near the cook, -their hands held up above their heads. - -"Let two men dismount and take their pistols and knives from them," -commanded Dudley. Then, when that task had been accomplished, he -placed a couple of his men on guard over the prisoners, all of whom -were secured with the long leather thong of a bolas. - -"Now for the others," he said. "We will spread out here on the edge -of the clearing facing their comrades, and will wait for the dawn. -If any come our way, let them pass in and then cover them with your -weapons. If possible let us take them without a shot, and without so -much as a sound." - -Fortune was favoring Mr. Blunt and his honest gauchos on this -occasion, for it happened that during Dudley's absence all the men of -Antonio's following had had a meal, save those who now lay captives, -and who had been taken in the midst of their repast. None came from -the forest to the clearing. In addition, beyond a loud call every -now and again, not a sound was heard from the depths of the forest, -even Harold and his men were husbanding their ammunition till the -dawn came, for the brave lad had no idea that Dudley had returned -already. At the earliest he could not expect help before the -following night, and for that reason he saved every cartridge, while, -on the advice of Pepito, he allowed one-half of his force to sleep, -waking them when an hour had gone so as to rest the remainder. But -the dawn was coming. Even to the men hidden in the forest an -occasional glimpse was possible of the reddening sky, while the -light, growing imperceptibly greater, seemed to steal down past the -leaves and along the tree trunks till it reached the roots. It was -dawn. Men could see the faces of their comrades, and Harold was able -to tell the exact position of each one of his following, and for the -first time could distinguish the outline of the quaint fort which -Dudley had suggested before his departure. A little extra banking -here and there at the edges, a little more taken out of portions of -the trenches, and the place would be perfect. The men were all awake -now, lying with their weapons ready and cartridges at hand. He was -about to give an order to improve the fort when a single rifle shot -rang out far back in the forest, to be answered within a minute by a -report from the pampas. Then came a loud hail from the latter -position. - -"Harold! Harold!" came in Mr. Blunt's stentorian tones. "Harold, -ahoy!" - -"Friends, señor," exclaimed Pepito, dragging himself slowly to his -leader's side, for the poor fellow's wound was painful. "There is -help close at hand. Warn the men to be careful of their shooting. -But listen!" - -Once more the strong voice was heard. - -"Harold, ahoy! We have a strong force of gauchos with us, and have -surrounded the ruffians lying in the forest. Shoot any who happen to -pass your way. We are closing up all round them." - -From the depths of the forest there came now a commotion. Men called -to one another, for as yet the position was not understood. But many -of the ruffians understood English, and some had overheard Mr. -Blunt's hail. They were surrounded. While they had no notion of -such a thing, and indeed thought it impossible, the enemy had ridden -all round them. Each must fight for himself. - -They gave up all attempt to capture the small party who had withstood -them so long, gave up all thought of combination, and promptly bolted -like hares in all directions, the majority, however, rushing for the -clearing where their horses were picketed. - -"Wait till you see them clearly, and then bring them down," said -Dudley sternly. "Mind, not a shot till they are close. We must take -them by surprise." - -The ambush into which the rascally gauchos fell was in fact such a -surprise that many of them promptly threw up their hands and were -secured. Half a dozen were killed at the first volley, and three -others, who attempted to run, shared the same fate. For the honest -fellows who were in Mr. Blunt's employ had no sympathy for such -ruffians. On the pampas, where there was an entire absence of police -or of any protective force, men had to fend for themselves, and -robbers had to be dealt with severely. - -"Place the prisoners all together, and set a guard over them," -commanded Dudley, when it was seen that no more were coming their -way. "Pietro, just count them, and let me know how many we have -taken." - -"Thirty-two, señor," came the answer, as the gaucho rapidly totalled -the robbers who had been captured, and returned to the young -manager's side. "A good haul, señor, and one which will put a stop -to other bands attempting the same robberies. Thirty-two, and -seventy-three horses." - -"Amongst which will be the mounts they captured from my little -escort. Now, we'll give our friends a hail." - -Sharp reports had meanwhile been heard from different parts of the -forest, sometimes three or four coming close together, while the -majority were solitary shots, fired at some fleeing figure. There -were shouts, too, and an occasional cry of pain. - -"Ahoy there! Harold! Mr. Blunt!" - -Dudley shouted at the pitch of his lungs, and very soon his employer -and Harold appeared on the scene, their men straggling in behind -them, two of the fine fellows carrying Pepito in their arms. - -"Thirty-two prisoners, you say?" cried Mr. Blunt, casting a withering -glance at the robbers, and then one of pride at his men. "Now, let -us count them, for we want to be sure that none have escaped. Harold -reports that five were killed in the neighborhood of the fort, so -that thirty-seven are accounted for. How many were shot here?" - -"Nine in all," came the answer. - -"Then we have dealt with forty-six, and with the ruffian you so -gallantly brought us, Dudley, we have accounted for forty-seven. -Thirteen have escaped, and I have no doubt are now running for their -lives through this forest. Well, let them go. Their tale will help -to frighten others bent on a lawless life. And now to return to the -estancia. Dudley, you will take Pietro and ten men, and will make -for the house occupied by that rascally Antonio. Take possession of -it, seize all people there, and keep a guard over any papers you may -come upon. The remainder will escort the prisoners back to the -estancia, where they will be kept till I can obtain a judge from the -settlements. One of the rascals I could have dealt with, but I -cannot hang so many on my own authority." - -Resting in the clearing till the men had had a meal, the party -divided again, Dudley and his escort riding to Antonio's house, which -they seized without opposition. The prisoners taken in the action -were mounted on the captured horses, their legs secured beneath the -bodies of the animals, and their hands lashed firmly. Then the -horses were roped in a long line, and once more took the track -leading into the forest. A pile of arms and saddlery was left -behind, to be fetched on a future occasion. - -Two weeks later the robbers who had been captured were placed on -trial at Mr. Blunt's estancia, and some ten of their number, against -whom previous acts of violence could be proved, were hanged by order -of the authorities. The remainder were sent down to Buenos Ayres, -there to work in the prisons. As for Antonio, he was hanged before -all his following, as a warning to those who were to be retained as -prisoners. - -"And now we shall be able to live peacefully," said Mr. Blunt a week -later, when all the prisoners had been removed, and matters had -settled down at the estancia. "There will be no more raids from the -direction of the forest, for, thanks to Dudley, and to you too, -Harold, both Indians and robbers have had a severe lesson. I have -news for you both. Guess what it is. - -"Then I will tell you," he went on, seeing that they only shook their -heads. "I have need of a second manager, for I have purchased the -whole of the estancia owned by Antonio Sarvisti. It is as large as -this ranch, and needs an experienced man. Dudley Compton is the man -I have selected." - -The news was almost too good to be believed. Dudley had had visions -of managing a ranch some day far in the future, and perhaps even of -possessing one when he had accumulated sufficient money. And now---- - -"It is as large as this," said Mr. Blunt, "and you will start with an -ample stock of cattle. You will be in complete control of the place, -and will merely report to me on occasion. So that you may not be too -much alone, I will build a house close to the borders of the forest, -through which paths shall be cut. There Harold and I will take up -our residence. That is, if our young friend cares to remain and -accept the post of manager on this estancia." - -"Would he accept it?" Harold's eyes were shining brightly. There -was a suspicious twitch about the corners of his mouth as he blurted -out an acceptance. - -"Rather!" he said. "That would be jolly! We shall still continue -the same happy family." - -Little remains to be told of the doings of Dudley Compton and his -friends. In three years the estancia which he managed had become a -model establishment, which commanded the admiration of the -neighboring owners. But there was one great defect. Dudley was -lonely. He was a long ride from Mr. Blunt and Harold, and at nights -the hours hung heavy on his hands. Need the reader be surprised to -hear that our hero was more than interested in the arrival of Mr. -Blunt's daughter, that his visits to his old employer became -noticeably frequent, and that when some months had gone by he was -able to persuade the young lady who had arrived that his own little -house on the neighboring ranch was comfortable? The two young people -were married within a year, the gauchos from far and near collecting -together to cheer them and drink their health. And in due time, as -the years rolled by, and age began to tell on Mr. Blunt, his two -young managers became partners on the ranches. To this day they are -there, white-haired and somewhat stiff and aged. But that firm -friendship, commenced when at school and renewed after a painful -break, still exists between them. The wide, rolling plains have been -their home ever since those early days when first they made the -acquaintance of the Roughriders of the Pampas. - - - - - - - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROUGHRIDERS OF THE PAMPAS *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. 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