MORE TREACHERY.
When Frank awoke, it was nearly dark. The glade was lighted up by a
fire, that one of the Rancheros had kindled, and beside which he stood,
superintending the cooking of the supper. Archie and Johnny were still
sleeping soundly, but Arthur Vane's blanket was empty, and that young
gentleman was nowhere to be seen.
Frank raised himself to a sitting posture, rubbed his eyes, and yawned;
and then, seeing that the cook was rummaging in the pack-saddle after
more luxuries, and judging by that that supper was nearly ready, he
shook his companions, and arose to his feet. He went to the spring, and
was preparing to wash his hands and face in the little brook that ran
across the glade, when his attention was attracted by the sound of
voices close by. He found that they came from behind the bowlder; and,
after listening a moment, he recognized the voices as those of Pierre
Costello, and Arthur Vane. At first, Frank thought nothing of this
circumstance. He bent over the brook, and plunged his hands into the
water, when the thought occurred to him that this was a strange
proceeding on the part of Arthur Vane. If the latter had any thing to
say to the chief, why did he not talk to him in the camp? Frank's
suspicions were aroused. He stood, for a moment, undecided how to act,
and then, dropping on his hands and knees, he crept cautiously around
the end of the bowlder, and presently came in sight of Pierre and his
companion. They were sitting on the ground, facing each other--the chief
calmly smoking a cigarette, while Arthur was amusing himself by cutting
the grass around him with the Ranchero's bowie-knife.
"This is very odd," thought Frank. "Arthur acts more like a confidential
friend than a prisoner."
Our hero drew back, and listened to the conversation that followed,
during which he gained some insight into the character of his new
acquaintance.
"I do not admire your way of doing business," he heard Arthur say, at
length. "You treat me no better than you treat them. You told me that
you knew by my looks that I was a gentleman, and you promised to respect
me as such. You assured me that I should be allowed to show fight
whenever I pleased, and that you would not hurt me for it. How have you
kept those promises? What did you do to me this morning? You jerked my
gun out of my hands, and raised it over my head, as if you were going to
knock me down. One of your men threw his lasso around my neck, and
choked me until I could scarcely breathe, and another aimed a pistol at
me. Is that treating me like a gentleman or a visitor?"
"What else could we do?" demanded Pierre. "Didn't you tell me that you
wanted us to act natural, so that your three enemies would not suspect
that you had a previous understanding with me in regard to their
capture?"
"Certainly; but I didn't tell you to abuse me, did I? See how I was
treated when we were coming through this pass! My keeper struck my
horse with his lasso, and came near sending me over the precipice; and
you laughed at it. When I look toward you, why don't you give me a wink,
or a nod, to show that you have not forgotten your promises, and that
you will protect me?"
"Because I never have had a chance to do it without being seen by the
others. If you know when you are well off, you will take every
precaution to keep those boys from finding out how treacherous you have
been. You must not expect any signs of friendship from me. I shall stick
to my promise, and see that no serious injury is done you; but, if you
will insist in showing your courage by fighting us, you must make up
your mind to be roughly handled. You say that Frank didn't read to me
what he wrote in that letter?"
"No, he did not. He never said a word to his uncle about sending the
money. He told him not to do it. He advised him to capture your
messenger, by all means, and to send those trappers up here, with a
party of men, by daylight to-morrow morning."
"Well, they'll not find us," said the chief, who seemed to take the
matter very coolly. "By daylight we shall be miles from here. We'll
start as soon as the moon rises, so that we can see to travel through
the pass. After supper, I shall have those fellows bound hand and
foot--that will prevent their escape, I think--and, of course, I must
tie you, also."
"I don't like the idea of lying all night with my hands fastened behind
my back," objected Arthur.
"I can't help that. Those boys must be confined; for I am not going to
lose sixty thousand dollars, if I can help it; and, if you wish to avoid
suspicion, you must be tied with the rest."
"I shall resist. I want to make those fellows believe that they are a
pack of cowards. Don't let your men handle me too roughly."
"I'll look out for that," said Pierre. "Now, let us go back to the camp.
You have been away too long already."
"O, you outrageous villain!" thought Frank, who was so astonished and
bewildered by what he had heard, that he scarcely knew what he was
about. "Won't you suffer for this day's work if we ever get back to the
settlement?"
The movements of the traitor, who just then arose to his feet, brought
Frank to himself again. He retreated precipitately, and, when Arthur
came out from behind the bowlder, he was sitting on his blanket, talking
to Archie and Johnny.
"Fellows," said he, in an excited voice, "we're ruined! That rascal has
blabbed the whole thing!"
"Who? What rascal? what thing?" asked both the prisoners in a breath.
"What's the matter with you?" added Archie, in some alarm, seeing that
his cousin wore an exceedingly long face.
"Arthur Vane has just told Pierre that we had made up our minds to
escape to-night," replied Frank.
"No!" exclaimed the boys, almost paralyzed by the information.
"It's a fact. After supper, we are to be bound hand and foot; and
Arthur, to show how brave he is, and how cowardly we are, is going to
resist, and Pierre has promised that his men shall not handle him
roughly. O, you'll find out!" he continued, seeing that his friends
looked incredulous. "I crept up behind that bowlder, and heard all about
it. I did not understand all the conversation; but I know that Arthur is
a traitor, and that we are indebted to him for our capture."
Archie and Johnny were utterly confounded. They could not find words
strong enough to express their feelings. They sat on their blankets, and
looked at each other in blank amazement. Presently, Arthur came in
sight, and his appearance served to restore their power of action; and
then, for the first time, they seemed to realize the full enormity of
the offense of which he had been guilty. Archie jumped to his feet, and
commenced pulling off his jacket.
"Fellows," said he, throwing down his sombrero, and rolling up his
shirt-sleeves, "I'm going to pound some of the meanness out of him."
"And I'll help you!" exclaimed Johnny, excitedly. "Who ever heard of
such a thing?" And Johnny brought his fist down into the palm of his
hand, with a noise like the report of a pistol.
"Don't do it, boys!" interposed Frank. "Come here, Archie! Sit down,
Johnny. He will be punished enough, when he gets back to the settlement.
Let's cut him at once, and have nothing more to do with him. Johnny, put
on your jacket! Behave yourself, Archie!"
Frank found it hard work to turn the two boys from their purpose. Their
indignation had been thoroughly aroused, and, if Arthur had only known
it, he was in a dangerous neighborhood. Although Frank was quite as
angry as his friends, he had more prudence. He did not believe that they
were the proper ones to execute vengeance upon their enemy. His
punishment would come soon enough, and it would be quite as terrible as
Arthur was able to bear. By dint of a good deal of coaxing, and pushing,
and scolding, he finally got Archie and Johnny on their blankets again,
and just then the traitor came up. His face wore a triumphant smile,
that was exceedingly irritating to the three boys just then, and he
approached them with as much assurance as though he had never in his
life been guilty of a mean action.
"I have been out enjoying the cool breeze," said he, not noticing the
angry glances that were directed toward him.
"Put it all in, while you are about it," exclaimed Johnny. "Say that you
have been holding a consultation with Pierre, in regard to our escape
to-night."
Arthur turned very red in the face, and took a step or two backward, as
if Johnny had aimed a blow at him; and then, somewhat recovering
himself, he opened his eyes, puckered up his lips, and looked from one
to the other of his companions, with an expression of intense
astonishment.
"How, now, Innocence!" exclaimed Archie. "You're a nice looking fellow.
Go away from here."
"Why, boys," stammered Arthur, "I do not understand you. I have not seen
Pierre"--
"Go away!" said Johnny, again rising to his feet--a movement that was
instantly imitated by the pugnacious Archie.
"Can't you tell me what's the matter?" demanded Arthur, making a
desperate effort to look unconcerned, and to call up some of that
courage of which he had so often boasted.
"Have you got the impudence--the brass, to come to us, and ask what's
the matter, after what you have done?" asked Archie, angrily. "We'll
soon let you know what's"--
"Hold on, boys!" interrupted Frank, who saw that Archie's rage was in a
fair way to get the better of him. "Johnny, stand back! Keep still,
Archie! Go about your business, Arthur Vane! We know just what passed
between you and Pierre, not five minutes ago, and we don't want to
listen to any excuses or explanations."
"Explanations!" shouted Archie. "Excuses! for being a traitor!"
"Go over there among those yellow gentlemen," continued Frank. "You are
their friend, and there's where you belong. Don't dare come near any of
us again. Start!"
"Yes, start--mizzle--clear out!" roared Archie, getting angrier every
moment. "Begone! Make yourself scarce about here!"
"Well, I think this is a nice way to treat a gentleman," growled
Arthur, as he turned on his heel, and walked slowly away.
"Pick up that blanket and saddle," said Johnny. "Take all your plunder
away from here, and remember that this side of the glade belongs to us."
"Yes, remember it--bear it in mind!" exclaimed Archie, who seemed to
think it his duty to give emphasis to what the others said. "Think of it
continually."
Arthur glared savagely upon Archie; but, fearing to irritate him and his
friends further, by refusing to obey their commands, he shouldered his
baggage, and walked sullenly toward the fire, around which the Rancheros
were congregated, awaiting the summons to supper.
"Benedict Arnold!" said Johnny, as soon as the traitor was out of
hearing.
Frank and Archie thought the name appropriate. It clung to Arthur as
long as he remained in that part of California.