club strokes of these soldiers. I know
you don't think of vengeance----"

"Don't concern yourself with our history," said the elder brother,
joining them; "that brings misfortune. If we hadn't a sister, we
should have been hanged long ago!"

"Hanged! Only cowards are hanged. Besides, the mountain isn't so far."

"A hundred against fifty for the bulik!" cried some one passing.

"Loan us four pesos--three--two," begged Bruno. Jose again shook
his head.

"Sh! the money isn't mine. Don Crisostomo gave it to me for those who
are willing to serve him. But I see you are not like your father;
he was courageous. The man who is not must not expect to divert
himself." And he moved away.

"See!" said Bruno, "he's talking with Pedro; he's giving him a lot
of money!" And in truth Jose was counting silver pieces into the palm
of Sisa's husband.

Tarsilo was moody and thoughtful; with his shirt sleeve he wiped the
sweat from his forehead.

"Brother," said Bruno, "I'm going, if you don't; our father must
be avenged!"

"Wait," said Tarsilo, gazing into his eyes--they were both pale--"I'm
going with you. You are right: our father must be avenged!" But he
did not move, and again wiped his brow.

"What are you waiting for?" demanded Bruno impatiently.

"Don't you think--our poor sister----"

"Bah! Isn't Don Crisostomo the chief, and haven't we seen him with
the governor-general? What risk do we run?"

"And if we die?"

"Did not our poor father die under their clubs?"

"You are right!"

The brothers set out to find Jose, but hesitation again possessed
Tarsilo.

"No; come away! we're going to ruin ourselves!" he cried.

"Go on if you want to. I shall accept!"

"Bruno!"

Unhappily a man came up and asked:

"Are you betting? I'm for the lasak."

"How much?" demanded Bruno.

The man counted his pieces.

"I have two hundred; fifty against forty!"

"No!" said Bruno resolutely.

"Good! Fifty against thirty!"

"Double it if you will."

"A hundred against sixty, then!"

"Agreed! Wait while I go for the money," and turning to his brother
he said:

"Go away if you want to; I shall stay!"

Tarsilo reflected. He loved Bruno, and he loved sport.

"I am with you," he said. They found Jose.

"Uncle," said Tarsilo, "how much will you give?" "I've told you
already; if you will promise to find others to help surprise
the quarters, I'll give you thirty pesos each, and ten to each
companion. If all goes well, they