oo, stepped back, sure now of his triumph. The shout came
from the crowd once more, but only from a part of it, and brave, faithful
Long Jim closed his eyes that he might not see what would follow.

The elated swordsman held up his weapon as one would a banner. It was a
broad blade like a cutlass and it glittered in the brilliant sunlight. The
next moment there was the sound of a shot, the man uttered a cry of pain,
although himself untouched, and the sword, broken in several pieces, fell
to the ground. It had been shot from his hand with a rifle bullet.

Long Jim, opening his eyes, uttered a cry of joy and Henry Ware, smoking
rifle in hand, pressed his way through the crowd, which he had entered
unnoticed in the excitement.

Francisco Alvarez sprang to his feet in anger. Not for some moments did he
see the figure of the one who fired the shot, and even then he did not
know who it was. But Braxton Wyatt knew Henry Ware at once, and he was
resolved that he should not escape.

"Seize him! seize him!" cried the renegade. "He is the most dangerous of
them all!"

But Henry offered no resistance, as the soldiers rushed toward him,
quietly surrendering his rifle. Tom Ross, who was behind him, angrily
threw back the crowd and would have fought, but Henry said: "Give up,
Tom, it's best for the present."

Henry's eyes were upon his comrade who had been subjected to such
treatment. Paul stood erect, but there were stains on his shoulder, and he
was pale and weak.

"Look to him," said Henry threateningly to Francisco Alvarez who was
approaching. "It is an outrage of which the Governor General of Louisiana
shall know."

Alvarez flushed. He felt now slight prickings of the conscience and of
apprehension. It was indeed a wicked deed that he had done, but he had no
mind to be bearded by another from Kaintock.

"He will receive the proper attention," he said, "but you are my prisoner,
and so is this man who has just been taken with you. I tell you, too, that
I am in supreme command here, and I take the responsibility for all my
acts."

Braxton Wyatt had crowded near, but Henry and Tom refused to notice him.
Luiz went into the ring and led Paul away, binding up his shoulder where
the flesh was cut, although the hurt was not serious. "Take their arms and
put them all in the same prison," said Alvarez to one of his officers and
the four were escorted to the log house which Paul and Long Jim had left
not long before.

"Our pla