now."

"And him as does can't speak," cried Esau, fiercely. "Call yourselves
men to tie us two lads up, and do this? Yah! you're afraid."

"Where's he hid his pile, then?" growled the big ruffian.

"Don't answer him," I said; "it's of no use."

"Not a bit, my saucy young whelps. Now I give you one more chance.
Hold hard a moment," he cried to the men who held us. "Now then,
where's that there gold?"

"I don't know," I said, furiously, for the pain I suffered made me
reckless; "and I tell you again, if I did know I wouldn't say."

"I say, mates," said the big fellow, with mock seriousness, "arn't it
awful to hear two boys lie like that? Must teach 'em better, mustn't
us?"

There was a burst of laughter at this, and the men dragged off our boots
and stockings.

"That's the way," he said; "now set 'em down close to the fire, and just
warm their soles a bit; just to let 'em know what it's like."

"Oh, Esau!" I groaned, as I was seized; but he did not hear me, for as
they took hold of him he began to struggle and writhe with all his
might. Then for a few moments I began to think that this was all done
to frighten us, till I heard Esau give a shriek of pain.

"Now, will you tell us?" cried the big fellow. "Give the other a taste
too."

Four men laid hold of me, and they carried me close up to the fire,
whose glow I felt upon my face, as I too made a desperate effort to
escape. But it was useless, and I was turning faint with horror and
dread combined, for in another moment they would have forced my feet
close to the glowing embers, when I uttered a cry of joy, for Mr
Raydon, rifle in hand, suddenly strode out from among the pines, and I
was dropped, for every man seized his weapon.

"Put up your pistols," cried Mr Raydon, in a voice of thunder, as he
came up to us, his piece in his left hand, while with his right he
struck the man nearest to me a blow full in the eyes which sent him
staggering across the fire, to fall heavily on the other side.

"Stand fast, mates," cried the big ruffian, fiercely; "he's only one.
It's him from the Fort, and we've got my gentleman now."

"Stand back, sir!" roared Mr Raydon, "if you value your life."

"Give up that gun if you value yours," cried the man, and, bowie-knife
in hand, he sprang right at Mr Raydon.

But at that moment there was the sharp crack of a rifle, the ruffian's
legs gave way beneath him, and he fell forward, sticking his knife deep
into the earth