"You are mad," he said.
All at once he started, for their pursuers were rapidly approaching.
"Listen," he said. "Do you two let yourselves be captured; they will not follow me, as they owe me no grudge. I swear to you that if I remain at liberty I will deliver you, even if they hide you in the bowels of the earth."
Without replying Don Pablo dismounted, and Valentine leaped on to his horse.
"Hope for the best!" he shouted hoarsely, and disappeared.
Don Pablo, so soon as he was alone with his sister, made her dismount, seated her at the foot of a tree, and stood before her with a pistol in either hand. He had not to wait long, for almost immediately he was surrounded by the bandits.
"Surrender!" Red Cedar shouted in a panting voice.
Don Pablo smiled disdainfully.
"Here is my answer," he said.
And with two pistol shots he laid two bandits low; then he threw away his useless weapons, and crossing his arms on his breast said,—