while holding fast to their
prisoners, had relieved them of their weapons; and, as soon as Pierre
had seen Arthur conquered, he seized the bridle of the pack-horse,
while each of the other members of the band took charge of one of the
boys, and the cavalcade started down the ravine at a rapid gallop.

All this happened in much less time than we have taken to describe it.
Before the young hunters had fairly recovered from the astonishment
caused by the sudden appearance of Pierre and his band, they had been
disarmed, and were being led captive into the mountains.

Frank and his two friends were more bewildered than alarmed. The whole
thing was so unexpected, and had been accomplished so quickly and
quietly! Remembering the particulars of Frank's previous encounter with
Pierre Costello, they did not stand in fear of bodily harm. Although
they had not the slightest suspicion that their capture was the result
of treachery on the part of Arthur Vane, they well understood the
motives of the robbers, and knew, as well as if Pierre had explained the
matter to them, that they were to be used as a means to extort money
from their relatives, and that they had nothing to fear, so long as
they submitted quietly to their enemies. But this was something that one
of the three boys, at least, had no intention of doing. Frank's brain
was already busy with plans for escape. He had twice beaten Pierre at
his own game, and, if the robber did not keep his wits about him, he
would do it again. As for Arthur, although his plans were, thus far, as
successful as he could have desired, he was very much disappointed. The
three boys, who had dared to hold him up to the people of the settlement
in his true character, were prisoners, and he had Pierre's assurance
that they would remain such until the demands he intended to make upon
their relatives should be complied with. But, after all, Arthur did not
experience the satisfaction he had hoped he would, for the robbers had
treated him very roughly. The chief had raised his own gun over his
head; another had choked him with his lasso, and a third had pointed a
loaded pistol at him. That was a nice way to treat a visitor! Arthur
began to wish that he had never had any thing to do with Pierre and his
band.

The chief, who rode in advance with the pack-horse, led the way at a
break-neck pace, and the boys, being one behind the other, each in
company with the Ranchero who had him in charge, were allowed