ance at which drove all thoughts of sleep out of Johnny's mind, and
suggested to him the idea of an attempt to liberate his friend. The
knot, on account of the stiffness of the lasso, had not been drawn very
tight, and Johnny thought he had hit upon a plan to untie it.

"Archie," he whispered, excitedly.

"Hallo!" was the response.

"Are you asleep?"

"No; nor am I likely to be to-night," growled Archie. "This lasso hurts
me dreadfully. Pierre drew it as tight as he could."

"Don't talk so loud," whispered Johnny. "Keep your eyes on that
sentinel, and, if he moves, shake your arms."

"What for?" demanded Archie. "What are you going to do?"

"I don't know that I can do any thing; but I am going to try."

"All right; go ahead."

Johnny took a long look at the Ranchero, to make sure that he was sound
asleep, and then, rolling up close to Archie, he went to work with his
teeth to untie the lasso, with which the latter's arms were bound. This
was not so easy a task as he had imagined it would be; but the knot
yielded a little with every pull he made upon it, and, after ten minutes
hard work, Johnny rolled back upon his blanket with an expression of
great satisfaction upon his countenance, and watched his friend as he
unwound the lariat with which his feet were confined.

"Hurrah for you, Johnny!" whispered Archie, a moment afterward. "We'll
out-wit these greasers yet. Hold easy, now, and I'll soon give you the
free use of your hands and feet."

Archie's fingers made quick work with Johnny's bonds, and, when he had
untied his arms, he left him to do the rest, and turned to release his
cousin. This he soon accomplished, and then the three boys, astonished
at their success, crept up closer together, to hold a consultation.

"Lead on Frank, and we'll follow," said Johnny.

"I will do the best I can," replied Frank. "Let's stick together as long
as possible; but, if we are discovered, we must separate, and let each
man take of himself. Remember, now, the one that reaches home must not
sleep soundly until the others are rescued."

As Frank said this, he threw himself flat upon the ground, and crawled
slowly and noiselessly through the grass, toward the ledge by which they
had entered the glade in the morning. They passed the sentinel without
arousing him, and approached the fire around which lay the stalwart
forms of the Rancheros, who snored lustily, in blissful ignorance of
what was going on close by them.

The