the fight in the court. At first Frank entertained the bold idea of
riding over the Ranchero. Roderick was as quick as a flash in his
movements, and one touch of the spurs, if his rider could take Pierre
off his guard, would cause the horse to jerk the bridle from his grasp,
and before the robber could recover himself, Frank would be out of
danger. But Pierre had anticipated this movement, and he was too well
acquainted with his prisoner to relax his vigilance for an instant. More
than that, he held both the reins under Roderick's jaw with a firm
grasp, and stood in such a position that he could control the movements
of both the horse and his rider.

A moment's reflection having satisfied Frank that his idea of running
over Pierre could not be carried out, he began to look around for his
dog. But Marmion had not yet come up, and Frank was compelled to
acknowledge to himself that he was as completely in the villain's power
as he had been when Pierre had the lasso around his neck.

"Get down off that horse, I say," commanded the Ranchero.

"So you have turned highwayman, have you?" said Frank, without moving.
"Do you find it a more pleasant and profitable business than herding
cattle?"

"Are you going to get off that horse?" asked the robber, impatiently.

"What's the use? You will not find a red cent in my pockets."

"I suppose not; but if I take you with me, I'll soon find out how many
yellow boys your uncle carries in his pockets."