From this position he succeeded in getting to his knees.

Then he rose and hastened toward the Mexican.
"Nicolas, you're surely a little terror!" Reade admitted, admiringly.
"Now, untie my hands and we'll take care of Sambo." "Wait---jus' one leetle moment, Senor," begged the Mexican.

He turned back to Sambo, that forefinger ready for another jab.
"Fo' de lub ob goodness---" gasped Sambo.

But Nicolas was determined.

He made the jab, and Sambo all but lost the little breath that was in him.
"Now, Senor, we do it all in one second," proclaimed the Mexican.