The dog had been worsted in his encounter with the robber, and Frank was left to fight his battles alone.

He thought no more of taking Pierre a prisoner to the rancho.

All he cared for now was to escape.
"Well, now, it was good of you not to run away when you had the chance," said the Ranchero, who appeared to be quite as much surprised at seeing Frank as the latter had been at seeing him.
"If I had thought that you could get away from that dog, I should have been a mile from here by this time," replied Frank.

"I was looking for your horse, and, if I had found him, I should have gone to Marmion's assistance." "Well, he needed you bad enough," said Pierre, with a laugh.

"I have fixed him this time." "You have!" cried Frank, his worst suspicions confirmed.