Two men, attendants of Vasquez, guarded the prisoners, who leant disconsolately against the huge trunk of one of the trees.
"Do as I tell you!" exclaimed Vasquez.
"What?" asked Maltravers.
"Shoot the brother."
"But the girl will never forgive me."
"Ah, pshaw! I'll do it for you," said the robber.
Maltravers endeavored to restrain him, but he broke from him, and, presenting a pistol at Alfred Vanhoosen, fired.
Alfred fell bleeding at his sister's feet.
But retribution, swift and sure, was at hand.
Jack aimed at him, and brought him down with a well-directed bullet.