his hands and Obed White was
no slower than he. Ned judged from the nature of the ambush that they
had fallen among brigands, then so prevalent in Mexico, and the thought
gave him relief. Soldiers would carry him back to Santa Anna, but surely
brigands would not trouble long those who had nothing to lose.

"It is well, friends, that you obey so quickly," said a man in gaudy
costume as he stepped from the bushes followed by a half dozen others,
evil looking fellows, all carrying guns and pistols. Ned noticed that
two of the guns were rifles of long and slender barrel, undoubtedly of
American make.

"Good-evening, Captain," said Obed White in his smoothest tones. "We
were expecting to meet you, as we learned that we are in the territory
which you rule so well."

The man frowned and then smiled.

"I see that you are a man of humor, amigo," he said, "and it is well.
Your information is correct. I rule this territory. I am Captain Juan
Carossa and these are my men. We collect tribute from all who pass this
way."

"A worthy task and, I have no doubt, a profitable one."

"Always worthy but not always profitable. However, I trust that you can
make it worth our while."

A look of sadness passed over the expressive features of Obed White.

"You look like a brave and generous man, Senor Juan Carossa," he said
sorrowfully, "and it grieves both my young friend and myself to the very
center of our hearts to disappoint you. We have nothing. There is not a
cent of either gold or silver upon us. Jewels we admire, but we have
them not. You may search."

He held wide his arms and Ned did likewise. Carossa gave an order to one
of his men, a tall fellow, swathed in a red serape, to make the search,
and he did so in such a rapid and skillful manner that Ned marveled. He
felt hands touching him here and there, as light as the fall of a leaf.
Obed was treated in the same fashion, and then the man in the red serape
turned two empty and expressive palms to his chief.

Carossa swore fluently, and bent a look of deep reproach upon Ned and
Obed.

"Senors," he said, "this is an injustice, nay more, it is a crime. You
come upon the territory over which we range. You put us to the trouble
of stopping you, and you have nothing. All our risk and work are
wasted."

Obed shook his head in apology.

"It is not our fault," he said. "We had a little money, but we spent it
for food. We had some arms also, but they went for food too, so you se