knife, and carbine, and handed
them to Quashy.

"There," he said, "you may find these useful."

Meanwhile the robber lay quietly on his back, glancing from one to
another of the party with looks of hatred that told clearly enough how
he would have acted had he been free.

Turning to him as he was about to remount and quit the scene, Pedro said
very sternly in Spanish--

"You and I have met before, friend, and you know my powers with the
rifle at long-range. If you offer to rise from the spot where you now
lie until we have disappeared round that rocky point half a mile along
the road, you are a dead man. After we have turned the point, you may
go where you will and do what you please. I might point out that in
refraining from cutting your throat I am showing mercy which you don't
deserve--but it is useless to throw pearls to swine."

The man spoke no word of reply, though he did look a little surprised as
the party left him and rode away.

"Would it not have been safer to have bound his hands behind his back?"
asked Lawrence.

"No doubt it would, but he is secure enough for our purpose as he is.
If I had bound him as you suggest, he would have been almost certain to
perish, being quite unable to help himself. As it is, he can use his
tied hands to some extent, and, by perseverance in sawing the lines
against sharp rocks, he will set himself free at last. By that time,
however, we shall be beyond his reach."

From time to time they all glanced over their shoulders as they rode
along, but the bound man did not stir. After they had passed beyond the
point of rock before referred to, Lawrence's curiosity prompted him to
turn back and peep round.

The bandit had already risen from the ground, and could be seen walking,
as quickly as circumstances permitted, up the track by which they had
just descended.

In a few minutes his tall figure was seen to pause for a brief space at
the summit of the pass. Then it disappeared on the other side into the
gloomy recesses of the mountains.

CHAPTER FOUR.

IN WHICH QUASHY IS COMMUNICATIVE AND AN ENEMY IS TURNED INTO A FRIEND.

The pass which our travellers had just crossed merely led them over a
mountain chain which may be described as the Peruvian Cordillera.
Beyond it lay a fruitful valley of considerable extent, which terminated
at the base of the great range, or backbone, of the Andes. Beyond this
again lay another valley of greater extent than the first