on his part. I had my forefinger ready, and he did not
dare move."

"I can quite believe that," agreed Tom, dryly, "after the poke you just
gave me."

"Again a thousand pardons, Senor, but in the dark, and awaking so suddenly,
I did not see you or know you."

"I can quite believe that, Nicolas."

"As I was saying, Senor, I was watching over the black man when some one
came up behind me---so softly that I did not hear. But I felt. _Ah!_ What
I felt! It was a fist that seemed to break in the top of my head. Down I
went, and I heard a voice. I knew that voice, too. So would you have
known it, Senor!"

"Whose voice was it?" asked Tom, curiously.

"The voice of Evarts."

"The discharged foreman?"

"Yes, Senor. But I am delaying my story. While Evarts was speaking I
heard another sound. At one effort the negro snapped the cords that held
him. Ah, he is a powerful brute."

"He is," Tom affirmed solemnly.

"I knew it was my task to keep the negro from getting away," continued the
little Mexican excitedly. "So I leaped up, extended my forefinger and
rushed at him. But thees Evarts---hees feest catch me between the eyes.
I do not have to guess the spot where he struck me, Senor, for I can
feel it yet. Down I went, and knew no more. When next I opened my
eyes I found myself lying in the middle of a theecket of bushes. I theenk,
perhaps, the scoundrels believed they had killed me, and so they hid my
body. But I have fool' them. I am still alive---much alive!"

"What did you do when you came to, Nicolas?"

"Senor," protested the Mexican, "there was no more need of me. You had
gone after men. Eef you came back, you have many men with you, so you do
not need me. For that reason I come home."

Even in the dark the young engineer could "feel" Nicolas's shudder. Tom
could not repress a smile that threatened to become a chuckle.

"I was varee sleepy," continued Nicolas, "and so I lay down. I forgot to
undress, or even to take off my shoes. I fall asleep, and I dream much.
I see the big negro again, and I dream that I have more fight with heem.
Then, when you pull my foot, I wake up in one gr-rand sweat, for I theenk
the big black attack me once more. I am glad---so glad that it is not
true."

"Nicolas," cried Tom, "you have done fighting enough for one night. Yet
tell me, how did you happen to be at hand to-night in time to save me from
Mr. Sambo Ebony?"

"Because I see you start away to-nigh