tal combat. Soon after
that a savage passed the place where they lay, at full speed. Then
another and another. It became quickly evident that the defenders of
the place were getting the worst of it. At last there was a general
flight, and as the savages passed by, the new assailants appeared. It
was easy to see that they were composed of all classes, a band of
runaway soldiers and escaped convicts.

"Banditti!" exclaimed Lawrence, bitterly.

"Dey've got pris'ners. Look, massa."

Our poor hero looked, and his hearts nearly stood still with horror, for
he saw a horseman pass whose figure was strangely like to that of
Colonel Marchbanks. His arms were bound, and a villainous-looking man
led his horse. Immediately after another bandit-like fellow rode past
with a female form seated in front of him. Of course it could be no
other than Manuela, and in the agony of the moment Lawrence was about to
renew his frantic effort to burst his bonds, when a man on foot ran
close past him. Recognising him at once, Lawrence shouted--

"Ignacio!"

The old hunter, for it was he, stopped abruptly, and listened.

Another shout brought him to the side of our hero.

"Good luck!" exclaimed Ignacio, heartily.

"We have been bound by the scoundrels you are chasing," cried Lawrence,
quickly; "cut us free, good Ignacio."

The hunter drew his long knife and knelt with the apparent intention of
releasing them, but suddenly paused.

"No--better as you are," he muttered, hurriedly, "your friends are in
danger--"

"I know it," interrupted Lawrence, almost wild with anxiety and
surprise; "why not, then, release us?"

"There is no time to explain," said Ignacio, quickly, almost fiercely.
"Listen. I and others are secret enemies in this band of outlaws. When
you are free be silent, be wise. You will need all your manhood. You
must not know me--be silent--wise, but--"

The old hunter leaped up hastily, sheathed his knife and ran on, for at
the moment he saw a group of the bandits running towards him. Diverging
a little and hailing them, he drew them away from the spot where
Lawrence and his man still lay bound.

"Das a puzzler, massa," gasped Quashy, who had been rendered almost
speechless by surprise, "if de bu'stin'-power what's in my heart just
now would on'y go into my muscles, I'd snap dem ropes like Samson."

As the bursting-power referred to declined to go into the muscles of
either master or man, they were fain to l