o knew that the _Lanzeros_ were trained soldiers--
a petted arm of the service--and it would not take them long to "boot
and saddle."

More than ever was his look troubled now, still not despairing. He had
his hopes and plans.

"Drop your file, Senor," he said hurriedly; "no time to finish that now.
We must wait for a better opportunity. And we'll have to leave the
carriage behind; but not just yet."

By this they had arrived at the embouchure of the branch road coming out
from Cayocaon, into which by his direction the horses were headed, going
on without stop or slackening of speed. And so for nearly another mile;
then he called out to those on the box to bring up.

Rock, anticipating something of the sort, instantly reined in, and the
carriage came to a stand. At which the two inside sprang out upon the
road, Kearney calling to the Texan--

"Drop the reins, Cris! Down; unhitch the horses. Quick!"

And quick came he down, jerking the dwarf after, who fell upon all
fours; as he recovered his feet, looking as if he had lost his senses.
No one heeded him or his looks; the hurry was too great even to stay for
unbuckling.

"Cut everything off!" cried Kearney, still speaking to Rock. "Leave on
only the bridles."

With the knife late put into his hands the Texan went to work, Kearney
himself plying the other, while Rivas held the horses and unhooked the
bearing reins.

Soon pole-pieces and hame-straps were severed; and the frisones led
forward left all behind, save the bridles and collars.

"Leave the collars on," said Rivas, seeing there was no time to detach
them. "Now we mount two and two; but first to dispose of him."

The "him" was Jose, still seated on the box, apparently in a state of
stupor.

"Pull him down, Cris! Tie him to the wheel!" commanded Kearney. "The
driving reins will do it."

The Texan knew how to handle tying gear, as all Texans do, and in a
trice the unresisting cochero was dragged from his seat and bound,
Ixion-like, to one of the carriage wheels.

But Rock had not done with him yet. There was a necessity for something
more, which looked like wanton cruelty--as they wished it to look. This
was the opening of the poor fellow's mouth, and gagging him with the
stock of his own whip!

So, rendered voiceless and helpless, he saw the four forzados,
two-and-two, get upon his horses and ride off, the only one who
vouchsafed to speak a parting word being the dwarf--he calling back