"Hum! Well, if you ever want to see him again you must do as I say."
"What is that?"
"Write him a letter telling him to send a messenger with twenty thousand dollars to a place I shall designate. If he does so I will let you go free. If not—well——"
Black Ramon compressed his lips and gave Ralph a look not pleasant to see. It seemed to promise ominously for the future.
"But what about my friends?" demanded Ralph.
"The same condition applies to Merrill, only in his case, as his father is poorer, I shall be considerate and only demand ten thousand dollars."
"You can have my answer now," spoke up Jack. "It is—'No'!"
"The same goes here," chimed in Ralph slangily, but with conviction.
"What, you won't do it? Boys, you must be mad. You do not know the means I can use to enforce my demand. If you fear to cause your parents alarm, I can cause them more suffering by sending them word that you are dead."
The Mexican gave a smile of triumph as he saw a serious look cross the boys' faces. The thought of what this would mean—of the grief into which it would plunge their families, made them shiver, but neither hesitated when the cattle-rustler asked once more: