pose?" said I, affecting a coolness I did not feel.

"There's many a stranger thing than _that_ happens in these wild parts.
I've known a chap ride away with a beast,--just without any question at
all!"

"That was a robbery!" exclaimed I, in an effort at virtuous indignation.

"It war n't far off from it," responded Seth; "but there 's a reward for
the fellow's apprehension, and there it be!" and as he spoke he threw
a printed handbill on the table, of which all that I could read with my
swimming eyes were the words, "One Hundred Dollars Reward,"--"a mare
called Charcoal,"--"taking the down trail towards the San Jose."

"There was no use in carrying that piece of paper so far," said I,
pitching it contemptuously away.

"And why so, lad?" asked he, peering inquisitively at me.

"Because this took place in Texas, and here we are in Mexico."

"Mayhap, in strict law that might be something," said he, calmly; "but
were I to chance upon him, why should n't I pass a running-knot over his
wrists, and throw him behind me on one of my horses? Who's to say 'You
sha' n't?' or who's to stop a fellow that can ride at the head of
thirty well-mounted lads, with Colt's revolvers at the saddle-bow?--tell
me that, boy!"

"In the first place," said I, "the fellow who would let himself be taken
and slung on your crupper, like a calf for market, deserves nothing
better; and particularly so long as he owned a four-barrelled pistol
like this!"--and here I drew the formidable weapon from my breast, and
held it presented towards him, in a manner that it is rarely agreeable
to confront.

"Put down your irons, lad," said he, with the very slightest appearance
of agitation in his manner; "we'll come to terms without burning
powder."

"I ask for nothing better," said I, putting up my weapon; "but I 'll not
stand being threatened."

He gave a short, dry laugh, as though the conceit of my speech amused
him, and said, "Now, to business: I want that mustang."

"You shall have him, Seth," said I, "the day he reaches Guajuaqualla,
whither I am bound in all haste."

"I am a-going north," said Seth, gruffly, "and not in that direction."

"You can send one of your people along with me, to fetch him back."

"Better to leave him with me now, and take a hack for the journey," said
he.

This was rather too much for my temper; and I ventured to say that he
who was to receive a present should scarcely dictate the conditions
accompanying it.