oiling the various parts. He gave the same
attention to the other guns. When this was done, he went over the
ammunition to see that it was all in order.

Then, having no further task to engage his attention, a drowsy spell
appealing, he lay down upon a moss covered bed of nature's fashioning,
and was soon fast asleep. When he awoke he knew that a considerable
interval had elapsed, and that the day was waning.

He looked toward the ship, but all was quiet there.

"It is time that Juarez was getting back," he thought. "I hope that he
hasn't got into any trouble. And the boys, too, were coming ashore. But
I suppose," he added whimsically, "they had to wait till Berwick was
satisfied that Manuel wasn't anywhere around. I don't see any signs of
their coming," again looking toward the yacht, "I think I will see if I
can find Juarez."

He had little difficulty in following Juarez's trail as he had gone
straight forward in the direction of the valley which skirted the peak
or elevation for which he had started.

Although he was not apprehensive of an attack, Jim went forward
cautiously, looking about him as he proceeded, with his gun ready for
use in case of need. He had gone a little more than a quarter of the way
to the cliff when the ground became rugged with large rocks and
occasional deep crevices.

He became impressed at this point with the fancy that someone was about.
He stood motionless, and himself hidden discovered that someone was in
fact approaching. The man was moving slowly and seemingly without
special caution. In the shadow of the underbrush Jim did not at first
recognize that it was the steward whose movements he was observing. Then
he knew that it was that individual.

Here was an opportunity perhaps to learn something of this suspected
person, and intent on this object Jim stealthily followed in the
other's footsteps. He was mystified by his actions, for the steward
seemed to have no definite motive in view. He moved slowly about in an
erratic course, first in one direction then another, without apparent
reason.

The precautions Jim would ordinarily have taken to keep a lookout about
him were omitted, and of a sudden he was himself set upon by two
muscular individuals who seemed to spring from space, and taken so
entirely unawares, before he recognized his danger, his arms were
pinioned. Notwithstanding his strenuous struggles he was quickly bound
and a helpless captive.

He had had no opportuni