mischief, as those
of an enraged rattle-snake. Still, there was fear in his face; for
though he could not tell what was being said, he fancied it was about
himself, and anything but in his favour. He was with the other three,
but not of them; his conscience told him that. He was in their way,
too; had been all along, and would be hereafter. What if they took into
their heads to rid themselves of him in some violent manner? They might
cut his throat with one of the knives he had seen them make such
dexterous use of! Reflecting in this fashion, no wonder he was
apprehensive.

Something was going to be done to him different from the rest, he felt
sure. After the chain had been got apart the other three drew off to a
distance, and stood as if deliberating. It must be about himself.

And about him it was--the way to dispose of him.

"I hardly know what we're to do with the little beast," said Rivas.
"Leave him here loose we daren't; he'd slip back again, good as certain,
and too soon for our safety. If we tie him he will cry out, and might
be heard. We're not far enough away. _Oiga_! They're beating up the
cover we've just come out of. Yes; they're in the _chapparal_ now!"

It was even so, as could be told by the occasional call of a bugle
sounding skirmish signals.

"Why not tie and gag him, too?" asked Kearney.

"Sure we could do that. But it wouldn't be safe either. They might
find their way here at once. But if they didn't find it at all, and no
one came along--"

"Ah! I see," interrupted the Irishman, as the inhumanity of the thing
became manifest to him. "He might perish, you mean?"

"Just so. No doubt the wretch deserves it. From all I've heard of him,
he does richly. But we are not his judges, and have no right to be his
executioners."

Sentiments not such as might have been expected from the lips of a
bandit!

"No, certainly not," rejoined Kearney, hastening to signify his approval
of them.

"What do _you_ think we should do with him, Rock?" he added, addressing
himself to the Texan, who quite comprehended the difficulty.

"Wal', Cap; 't 'ud be marciful to knock him on the head at onc't, than
leave him to gasp it out with a stopper in his mouth; as ye say the
Mexikin thinks he mout. But thar ain't no need for eyther. Why not
toat him along? Ef he should bother us I kin heist him on my back, easy
enuf. A ugly burden he'd be, tho' 'tain't for the weight o' him."

The Texan's