A deep sigh, a long, indrawn breath, had come from the prostrate figure secured to the second horse, and Antonio's ugly head turned just a trifle. But the man did not regain consciousness. His breathing was still shallow and hardly perceptible, while beneath the ghostly rays of the moon his face looked deathly pale against the black beard which clothed it. Dudley stared at the man with the utmost aversion. He had disliked him before, when for the space of a few hours he was his guest. There was even then something indefinable about the ruffian which had repelled him. And now that something was even more pronounced. If ever there were a villain, it was this Antonio; and again and again did our hero thank his good fortune that he had the man secure and disarmed. However, it was neither the time nor the place for soliloquizing, and promptly he kicked his mount with his heels, and set off down the track he had selected at a gentle amble, which soon brought him to the confines of the forest, where he could look out at the pampas, the smooth, grass-grown plain shimmering in the white moonlight and seeming almost to welcome him. He could hear the whisper of the long grass as the wind swept across it, while the rustle and shake of the leaves overhead seemed to mingle harmoniously with the sound. But though he strained his ears, there was nothing else to be heard, not a call, not even one of those sharp reports which had echoed through the forest at frequent intervals.
"And no one in sight," he said, his spirits rising higher as the seconds flew. "I must be a couple of miles to the right of our men, and, I think, well clear of the enemy. Here goes for a smart canter."
He halted a few moments longer to make sure that his prisoner was secure in the position he had placed him in, and then, so that there should be no doubt as to his remaining there, he pulled the led horse in still closer, till its flank was jammed against his knee, and his free hand gripped Antonio's shoulder.
"I'll warrant he will not slip now," he said, "and when he comes to he'll be so close that I shall be able to deal with him. Come along, boys! We've a fine gallop before us."
He shook his reins and touched his mount with his heels. The two fine horses set off at a trot on to the pampas, and then at a call from Dudley broke into a canter, which soon became a gallop, not one of those headlong rushes which fire the blood of men and horses too, but a strong, fast gallop, which a pampas horse can keep up for many a mile, and which demands little if any exertion from the rider. In this way five miles were rapidly covered, Dudley keeping his horses well in hand, while he gripped Antonio firmly and held him in the position in which he had placed him. But a groan came from the unconscious man now, and within a minute there was a movement of the shoulder which Dudley was gripping. Pulling firmly on his reins, he slowly brought the animals to a standstill and turned to look at his prisoner. Antonio was conscious once more. As Dudley stared at him the ruffian's wicked little eyes scintillated under the moon's rays. The brows were puckered and drawn down, while the whole expression of his face denoted wonder, dawning consciousness, and increasing knowledge of his position. His teeth grated together, his breath came a little faster, and then, as Dudley released his hold, the prisoner sat up suddenly, opened his mouth, and shouted with all the vigor of his lungs:
"Help, help! To the rescue!"
He struggled to free himself from the rope which secured him to the horse, and tugged at the lashings which secured his hands. He was desperate. Consciousness had returned fully to Antonio, and with it had come all his old ferocity. If it were not for his bonds he would tear this rascal to pieces; he would shoot him again and again, he would——
Suddenly he realized the futility of struggling. In a flash he guessed that nothing but a knife could sever the lashings which held him. But he still had his voice, and once more he bellowed aloud. Then he looked again at his captor, and, noting the smile on his lips, ground his teeth with rage.
"If you are ready, we will ride on," said Dudley slowly. "And as we are to be companions, it will be as well to understand each other. Now, if I were you, and our positions were reversed, I have little doubt that you would shoot me. In fact, if I had shot you just now when you shouted, I should have been perfectly justified. But, you see, there is no one to hear on the pampas. We are alone, amigo, and you are now miles from your friends. When you are ready we will gallop on again, but I warn you any attempt on your part to break away will be met by a bullet. You understand? I know the class of man I have captured. I mean to keep you safely till I can hand you over to our men, and then——"
Even to a ruffian like this he did not like to be harsh, and stopped in the middle of his sentence. For Dudley knew, as well as the ruffian beside him, that capture meant one thing alone. On the pampas a horse thief met with scanty mercy, while a robber had but short shrift. Antonio Sarvisti was certain to be hanged at the first opportunity, and it was more than likely that he would then be riddled with bullets, that being the summary justice of the pampas.