u knew by my looks that I was a gentleman, and you promised to respect
me as such. You assured me that I should be allowed to show fight
whenever I pleased, and that you would not hurt me for it. How have you
kept those promises? What did you do to me this morning? You jerked my
gun out of my hands, and raised it over my head, as if you were going to
knock me down. One of your men threw his lasso around my neck, and
choked me until I could scarcely breathe, and another aimed a pistol at
me. Is that treating me like a gentleman or a visitor?"

"What else could we do?" demanded Pierre. "Didn't you tell me that you
wanted us to act natural, so that your three enemies would not suspect
that you had a previous understanding with me in regard to their
capture?"

"Certainly; but I didn't tell you to abuse me, did I? See how I was
treated when we were coming through this pass! My keeper struck my
horse with his lasso, and came near sending me over the precipice; and
you laughed at it. When I look toward you, why don't you give me a wink,
or a nod, to show that you have not forgotten your promises, and that
you will protect me?"

"Because I never have had a chance to do it without being seen by the
others. If you know when you are well off, you will take every
precaution to keep those boys from finding out how treacherous you have
been. You must not expect any signs of friendship from me. I shall stick
to my promise, and see that no serious injury is done you; but, if you
will insist in showing your courage by fighting us, you must make up
your mind to be roughly handled. You say that Frank didn't read to me
what he wrote in that letter?"

"No, he did not. He never said a word to his uncle about sending the
money. He told him not to do it. He advised him to capture your
messenger, by all means, and to send those trappers up here, with a
party of men, by daylight to-morrow morning."

"Well, they'll not find us," said the chief, who seemed to take the
matter very coolly. "By daylight we shall be miles from here. We'll
start as soon as the moon rises, so that we can see to travel through
the pass. After supper, I shall have those fellows bound hand and
foot--that will prevent their escape, I think--and, of course, I must
tie you, also."

"I don't like the idea of lying all night with my hands fastened behind
my back," objected Arthur.

"I can't help that. Those boys must be confined; for I am not going to
lose sixty thousa