he day before.
There was one man, however, who took no part in the joking and laughing,
and that was Joaquin, who was just mounting his horse to drive up some
stock.

"Don't mind them," said he, as Arthur rode beside him. "They are a set
of blackguards, and don't know how to treat a gentleman."

"Now, that's like a true friend," replied Arthur. "You're the only one I
have on the ranch."

Joaquin was a villainous-looking Mexican, and since he had been in Mr.
Vane's employ, he had had little to do with the other herdsmen. He
seemed to prefer to be alone, unless he could have Arthur for company.
He always took a great deal of interest in the boy's affairs, and it was
from his lips that Arthur had heard the story of Frank's adventures with
Pierre Costello. Joaquin had gained Arthur's good will by confiding to
him a great many secrets, and one day he went so far as to confess that
Pierre was his particular friend, and that, if he felt so disposed, he
could point out the cave in the mountains where the robber was
concealed, and tell who it was that supplied him with food, and kept him
posted in all that happened in the settlement. Joaquin might have added,
further, that he himself had held several long interviews with Pierre of
late, and had talked over with him certain plans, in which Arthur Vane
and his three companions of the previous day bore prominent parts. But
this was one secret that the Ranchero kept to himself.

"If you know where the robber is hidden, why don't you tell Mr. Winters,
and claim the reward?" Arthur had one day asked Joaquin.

"What! betray my best friend!" exclaimed that worthy, in great
astonishment. "I am not base enough to abuse any man's confidence. Do
you suppose that if you were in Pierre's place, and I knew where you
were concealed, that I could be hired to play false to you? No, sir!"

Arthur remembered this remark, and on this particular morning, as he
rode out with the Ranchero, he called the latter's attention to it, and
asked if he could trust him. The reply was a strong affirmative, which
satisfied Arthur that he might speak freely, and the result was, the
revelation of his plan for taking revenge on Frank, Johnny, and Archie.
Joaquin listened attentively, and Arthur was delighted at the readiness,
and even eagerness, with which the herdsman fell in with his ideas, and
promised his assistance. He had one amendment to propose, that did not
exactly suit Arthur; but, after a little arg