they were in prime condition, while Bert and Tom
followed his example. "The next half hour will probably tell the story.
We're in for a lovely scrap, and we'll have that friend of yours with us
when we come back, or we'll never come back at all."

A keen sense of elation thrilled Bert and Tom, as they fell in behind the
old frontiersman, and followed him in Indian file up the path. The
sickening suspense was over. The storm was about to break. Waiting was
to be replaced by action. A few minutes more and they were to be
battling for Dick's life and their own. The primeval man had broken
through the veneer of civilization, and their nerves were tingling with
longing for the fight.

For ten minutes they went on at a rapid pace. Then the sounds of the
camp fell upon their ears, and they crept on with caution. They could
hear oaths, interspersed with drunken laughter, and the stamping of
horses. Abandoning the path, they vanished into, the thick undergrowth,
and now on hands and knees drew near the clearing. Reaching its edge,
they peered through the bushes, and saw a sight that froze the blood in
their veins.

CHAPTER V

A FIENDISH TORTURE

It was long after dark on the day of Dick's capture, when the guerillas
reached their camp. Familiar as they were with every inch of the way,
they had gone on as rapidly after sunset as before, and only drew rein
when they had reached the clearing. Dick was lifted from the broncho,
and the bonds removed from his hands and feet. He suffered torments as
the blood rushed back into his cramped members, but at least he was
comparatively free to move about, and before long he had recovered from
the physical effects of his long and exhausting ride.

His mind also had regained its serenity and poise. He was cool and calm
to a degree that surprised even himself. The first shock was over. He
had already tasted of the bitterness of death. In those long hours, he
had fought the battle in his own heart and conquered. Now he was ready
for whatever might befall. From this time on, no chance either of life
or death could disturb him. He was prepared for either. But his keen
eyes and trained senses were on the alert to take advantage of any slip
on the part of his captors, and he was determined to sell his life
dearly. If they took it, they should at least pay for it.

Pedro, who seemed to be the captain's righthand man, led the way to a
ragged tent, of which there w