captain was troubled in his heart. Had he saved this fine young
fellow to be the plaything of old Pasquale's vengeance? He knew well
enough what would happen to the Arizonian if Ruth escaped. But as long
as there was life there was a chance. Something might turn up yet to
save him.

When Pasquale found that only an insignificant peon Pedro Cabenza had
been taken in his dragnet, he exploded with fury. He ordered the man
shot against the nearest wall at once.

Culvera turned the prisoner so that the moon fell full upon his face. He
looked searchingly at him. Yeager knew that he was discovered. He spoke
in English.

"Good-evening, Colonel Culvera. You've guessed right, but you've guessed
it a little too late."

"What is this? Who is this man?" demanded Pasquale harshly.

"The man Yeager, who escaped from you two weeks since," explained Ramon.
"He has been in camp with us over a week arranging this girl's escape."

The old general let out a bellow of rage. He strode forward to make
sure for himself. Roughly he seized his prisoner by the hair of the head
and twisted the face toward him.

"Sorry I had to leave you so abruptly last time, general. Did you have a
pleasant night?" taunted Yeager.

Gabriel choked. He was beyond words.

"I see you haven't been able to get anybody else to assassinate your
friend Culvera yet," he said pleasantly.

The American had given up hope of life. He was trying to spur Pasquale
into such an uncontrollable anger that his death would be a swift and
easy one.

"Tie him hand and foot. Let a dozen men armed with rifles stay in the
room with him till I return. Ochampa, I hold you responsible. If he
escapes--"

"He won't escape," answered the major. "I'll see to that myself."

"See that you do." Pasquale swung to the saddle and looked around.
"Ramon, you're not a fool. Where shall we look for this girl and those
with her?" he demanded, scowling.

"They must have horses to escape, general. Except in the stable here,
which is guarded heavily, the nearest are across the river in the
direction they must be moving."

"Of course. Juan, have the remuda driven up and let every man saddle
his horse. We'll comb these hills if we must. Maldito! She shan't escape
me."

He galloped off at the head of his troop, taking the short cut to the
pasture.

The prisoner was dragged into the house where Ochampa was staying. A
doctor presently arrived and took care of the wounded leg of the major.
Af