tian--for that was the name of the gorge--was two miles long.
About half that distance from the entrance, was a natural recess in the
mountains, comprising perhaps half an acre, which was covered with grass
and stunted oaks, and watered by a spring that gushed out from under a
huge bowlder, which had fallen into the glade from the mountains above.
Here the robber chief had decided to remain long enough to send a
message to Mr. Winters. The horses had been unsaddled, and were cropping
the grass, and the Rancheros were stretched out under the shade of the
trees--all except two of their number, one of whom, having lighted a
fire, was engaged in cooking the dinner, and the other was standing near
the entrance to the glade, leaning on his rifle, and keeping a close
watch over the prisoners. Frank and his two friends were reposing on
their blankets near the spring, and when Arthur rode up, they greeted
him with a broad grin.

"Well, Colonel," said Frank, "you come near going back to India by a
short route, didn't you?"

"Did you ever travel on horseback in such frightful places as this,
during your wanderings in Europe?" asked Johnny.

Arthur had, by this time, somewhat recovered from his fright, though his
face was still very pale, and he drew a long breath every now and then,
when he thought of the dangers he had passed through.

"No," he replied, to Johnny's question. "I never traveled much among the
mountains. It always makes my head dizzy, to look down from a height."

"How, then, did you stand it," said Archie, with a sly wink at his
companions, "when you were perched upon the 'very top of the middle
mast' of your ship, looking out for whales?"

"Eh?" exclaimed Arthur. "Why--I--you know"--

Arthur was cornered. He did not know how to answer this question, so he
kneeled down by the spring, and took a drink, in order to gain time to
reflect. "I was obliged to stand it," said he, at length, looking up at
his companions. "I couldn't help myself. I say, boys," he added,
desiring to turn the conversation into another channel, "you've got us
into a nice scrape by your cowardice. If you had followed me, those
fellows would have been the prisoners now."

At this moment the robber chief approached the group, holding in his
hand a sheet of soiled paper and a lead pencil. "Take these," said he,
handing the articles to Frank, "and write to your uncle, telling him how
matters stand. Say to him that you and your friends are pr