hat country, and we thought
it best to keep an eye on you," answered Archie.

"See here, Benedict," said Johnny. "Have you forgotten that we told you
to keep your distance?"

"No; but I generally go where I please," replied Arthur.

"You have done something worth boasting of, haven't you?"

"Well--yes; but I am not done with you yet. If I have any influence with
Pierre--and I think I have--you'll not see home for a year--perhaps
longer."

"Pierre! Pierre!" shouted Archie, suddenly. "I say, Pierre!"

"Well, what's the row?" asked that worthy, from his bed by the fire.

"I'll make you a present of my horse, if you will give me my liberty for
just two minutes. Will you do it?"

"I guess not," replied the robber.

"I promise you that I will not attempt any tricks," pleaded Archie. "I
only want to show Benedict something. Come, Pierre, that's a good
fellow."

The Ranchero laughed, and turned over on his blanket, without making any
answer, and Archie, being satisfied that it was useless to urge the
matter, laid his head upon his hard pillow, and looked indignantly at
the traitor.

"Never mind," said he. "I'll be unbound to-morrow morning, and I'll know
how to get up an appetite for breakfast."

Arthur understood what the prisoner meant by getting up an appetite for
breakfast, and it made him angry. He was very brave, now. His three
enemies were lying before him unable to defend themselves, and it was a
fine opportunity to execute vengeance upon them. He suddenly took it
into his head that it would be a nice thing to punish them all,
beginning with the one who had first excited his animosity.

"Hold on, you little Yankee," said he. "I'll attend to you in a minute.
Johnny Harris, what was that name you applied to me?"

"It was a new one we have given you," answered Johnny. "We have called
you after the meanest man that ever lived--Benedict Arnold. Do you know
him? Did you ever meet him while you were hunting lions and tigers in
Europe?"

Frank and his cousin laughed loudly, which so enraged Arthur that he
caught up a stick, that happened to be lying near him, and struck Johnny
a severe blow with it.

"O, you coward!" shouted Archie, struggling frantically to free his
arms. "What do you mean by hitting a man when he is down, and can't move
hand or foot?"

The traitor turned fiercely upon Archie, and was about to use the stick
upon him, when the gruff voice of the sentinel arrested his hand. The
Ranchero po