thank you, Captain Carossa,
for your advice and courtesy. Manners are the fine finish of a man."

His serape had not yet been taken from him, and he rolled himself in it.
Ned was already in his, lying with his feet to the smoldering fire. The
boy did not wish to sleep, nor could he have slept had he wished. But he
saw that Carossa soon slumbered, and the sentinels by the doorway
seemed, at least, to doze. He turned slightly on his side, and looked at
Obed who lay about eight feet away. He could not see the man's face, but
his body did not stir. Perhaps Obed also slept.

A wind was now rising and it made strange sounds among the vast ruins.
It was a moan, a shriek and a hoarse sigh. Perhaps the peons were not so
far wrong! The ghosts did come back to their old abodes. Ned was glad
that he was not alone. Even without Obed the company of brigands would
have been a help. He lay still a long time.

The coals of the fire went out, one by one, and where they had glowed
only black ashes lay. The wind among the ruins played all kinds of
strange variations, and Ned was never more awake in his life. He took a
last look at the sentinels, and he was sure that they slept, sitting,
with their muskets across their laps. Then he rose to his knees and
with difficulty checked a cry of astonishment when he saw Obed rising at
the same time. They remained on their knees a moment or two looking at
each other and then, simultaneously they rose to their feet. Their
comprehension was complete.

Ned looked down at Carossa. The brigand chief slept soundly and his face
in repose was wholly evil. The gayety and courtesy that they had seen
upon it awake were only a mask.

Obed stepped lightly to one of the pillars and Ned followed him. He knew
what Obed was seeking. Here was the great chance. The brigands, careless
from long immunity, had stacked their guns against the pillar, and Ned
and Obed promptly selected the two American rifles that Ned had noticed.
Hung by each was a large supply of powder and bullets to fit which they
also took. Two of the best machetes were chosen too, and then they were
ready to go. With the rifle in his hand, the great weapon with which the
pioneer made his way from ocean to ocean, Ned had strength and courage.
He believed that Obed and he could defeat the entire force of brigands,
but he awaited the signal of his older comrade.

Standing close together behind the massive pillar they could not now see
the sentinels