The Red Cloud chief., 1897-03-19

nght the rebels. He didn't like the
business, and he had awaited himself
Of this first opportunity he had for
escape.
IF the senior will allow me to go, |
will give my word not to harm him or
any of his friends"
THAT may be-" said Tommy, with q
wise smile; but I would rather keep
you till the captain comes. In the end
IT will be better for you anyway, for
you can't escape from the mountains
without some of the patriots finding
YOU; and IN the coast the Spanish
would pick you up and send you to the
MORO for deserving. | give you my
word you shall be liberated I'm good
time"
THAT he shall" said a gruff voice,
coming from the direction of the
ruined building.
"Hola, Antonio! Is that you? Come
here and help me guard this prisoner.
Bring a rope and we will fasten his
arms till the captain comes; then !
will have him liberated"
Antonio shufled forward out of the
shadow. but as he came into the moon
light Tommy noticed that. instead of a
rope, he carried a long knife! The
prisoner noticed it also, and turned to
the boy with appealing gesture.
"Ho. Antonio! what are you doing?
| npnn that knffA and rat cha ,nnas H.,
Is not your prisoner; he's mine-mine.
| tell you!" shrieked the boy, as An
tonic. saying nothing. still advanced
on the unarmed soldier. Stand back,
Antonio. or I'll shoot you"
But the savage mozo. whose blood
was now infiamed with passion. did
not stand back: but with an oath
sprang upon the prisoner; and Tpmasi-
to, confused by this unexpected turn OF.
affairs. held his fire. The %Spaniard,
seeing that his life was threatened
more by the knife of the Cuban than
the revolver Of the young American,
had dropped his arms and was in a
posture of defense when Antonio
sprang upon him. He" caught the
blow in his left arm, and with his
right hand grasped the villain by the
throat.
Antonio was no match for the strong
young soldier, whose v training
had made him 1.-THE and agile: and.
although the latter was unarmed. he
soon had his antagonist at his mercy.
Forcing him to the ground, he placed a
knee against his right arm and an
other on his breast. and then held him
writhing there. The tables were now
most strangely turned: the captive was
now the captor. Tommy was bewil-
dered. One thing was still clear to
him-he was yet master of the situa-
ton, for he could hold either of the
men off with his weapon. But which
was he to regard in the light OF an en-
envy? Antonio had been u%nfaithful to
his trust; the Spaniard only a shos-
time before was fighting against his
friends. Something must be done, and
quickly, for the soldier was choking
the life out of the mozo; yet he could
not release him, lest he spring again
at him with his knife.
IF the senior will get me n rope"
said the soldier, II will release his
friend, after | have bound him. and
again become his prisoner. For If /
hold him much longer here 1t will cost
him his life"
That was the only alternative. and
Tommy ran for a rope, returning with
which the soldier bound Antonio's arm
to his side, and then released him. II
was zone too soon, for the man was
gasping for breath. AS soon as he
came to himself, however, he glared
savagely at his captor and tried to
reach the knife again. But he was Sc
curely bound. and his efforts were
futile. Meanwhile, the wound in the
soldiers arm was bleeding ~profusely.
and Tommy could not allow even an
enemy to bleed to death. He made him
strip off his blouse and tied a bandage
around the arm, then brought water.
which he gave to both the combatants.
The soldier received it gratefully; but
Antonio, after he had cleared his
parched throat, turned and cursed him.
Eyes, you take the part OF this rene
gade against me! But wait, wait till
the captain comes! You will see what
you will get!"
The boy said nothing, but he had no