ef had the fetters removed from his victim's
ankles, with the customary guard within call. He explained that many
of the men were away, and it would be several days yet before he could
know if the outlook for his release was favorable. From what he had
been able to learn so far, at least fifty thousand dollars would be
necessary to satisfy the band, which numbered twenty, five of whom
were spies. They were poor men, he further explained, many of them
had families, and if they accepted money in a case like this,
self-banishment was the only safe course, as the political society to
which they belonged would place a price on their heads if they were
detected.

"The sum mentioned is a large one," commented Don Ramon, "but it is
nothing to the mental anguish that I suffer daily. If I had time and
freedom, the money might be raised. But as it is, it is doubtful if I
could command one fifth of it."

"You have a son," said the chief, "a young man of twenty. Could he not
as well as yourself raise this amount? A letter could be placed in his
hands stating that a political society had sentenced you to death, and
that your life was only spared from day to day by the sufferance
of your captors. Ask him to raise this sum, tell him it would mean
freedom and restoration to your family. Could he not do this as well
as you?"

"If time were given him, possibly. Can I send him such a letter?"
pleaded Don Ramon, brightening with the hope of this new opportunity.

"It would be impossible at present. The consent of all interested must
first be gained. Our responsibility then becomes greater than yours.
No false step must be taken. To-morrow is the soonest that we can
get a hearing with all. There must be no dissenters to the plan or it
fails, and then--well, the execution has been delayed long enough."

Thus the days wore on.

The absence of the band, except for the few who guarded the prisoner,
was policy on their part. They were receiving the news from the river
villages daily, where the friends of Don Ramon discussed his absence
in whispers. Their system of espionage was as careful as their methods
were cruel and heartless. They even got reports from the ranch that
not a member of the family had ventured away since its master's
capture. The local authorities were inactive. The bandits would play
their cards for a high ransom.

Early one morning after a troubled night's rest, Don Ramon was
awakened by the arrival of the robbers, se