“I can’t walk, if you do that,” interrupted Beppo; “and if I can’t walk, how can I show you the way out?”
“Don’t you be uneasy. I sha’n’t draw the sash tight enough to interfere much with your walking; but if you try to run, it is probable that you will be tripped up very suddenly. Now, then,” he continued, after he had satisfied himself that his prisoner was secure, and that he could not possibly free himself from his bonds, “stand here until I put the saddles on those horses. Who’s that?”
At this moment heavy footsteps sounded on the floor overhead, and a light suddenly flashed down into the stable. Archie looked up, and saw a pair of feet descending a ladder, leading down from a small trap-door which opened into the apartment over the stable. Shortly afterward a villainous looking Ranchero came in sight, and holding his lantern at arm’s length before him, stooped down and glanced all around the stable, as if he were looking for some one. Archie was so badly frightened that he could not move; and his alarm increased, and his heart seemed to stop beating, when the man’s eyes, after roving all about the stable, rested on his face. This was the time to test his disguise.
“Beppo,” said the Mexican, in a gruff voice, “bring out the horses.”
As he spoke he placed his lantern upon one of the steps of the ladder, and ascended out of sight through the trap-door.
CHAPTER X.
ARCHIE MAKES A BOLD DASH.
“Who was that?” whispered Archie, in a trembling voice.
“Pedro,” replied the young Mexican.