new that
every road that led toward the settlement was closely watched. He knew,
also, that his only chance for escape was to avoid these roads and keep
in the thickest part of the woods. He sat down behind some bushes to
rest for a few moments, and then started on again, sometimes creeping on
his hands and knees, making use of every log and rock to cover his
retreat, and stopping frequently to examine the woods in front of him,
and to listen for sounds of pursuit. He had accomplished about a mile in
this way, when he found himself in one of the numerous bridle-paths that
ran through the mountains in every direction, and, what was worse, he
saw the scowling visage of Pierre Costello arise from behind a log not
ten paces from him. With the same glance he saw something else; and that
was a crouching figure in buckskin, which was creeping stealthily toward
the robber.

"Here's one caught," said Pierre, stepping into the path and walking
toward Archie. "None of your tricks, now; you can't escape."

"I don't intend to try," replied Archie, with a boldness that astonished
the robber. "Your game is up, Mr. Pierre, and I advice you to surrender
quietly, if you don't want to get hurt!"

"What!" exclaimed the Ranchero. "Surrender! If you know what you are
about, you will not offer any resistance. I am a desperate man."

The robber spoke these words boldly enough, but he evidently did not
like the looks of things. He gazed earnestly at Archie, as if trying to
determine what it was that had encouraged him to show so bold a front,
and seeing that he held one hand behind him, Pierre came to the
conclusion that he must, by some means, have secured possession of a
revolver.

"Drop that weapon, and hold your arms above your head," said the robber.

Archie did not move. While he appeared to be looking steadily at the
chief, he was really watching the movements of the figure in buckskin,
which had all this while been working its way quickly, but noiselessly,
through the bushes, and had now approached within a few feet of the
Ranchero.

"Did you hear what I said?" demanded the latter, placing his hand on one
of his revolvers. "You are my prisoner."

"Well, then, why don't you come and take me?" asked Archie.

At this moment a slight rustling in the leaves caught the quick ear of
the robber, who turned suddenly, uttered a cry of alarm, and fled down
the path, closely followed by something that to Archie looked like a
gray streak,