As for Arthur, although his plans were, thus far, as successful as he could have desired, he was very much disappointed.

The three boys, who had dared to hold him up to the people of the settlement in his true character, were prisoners, and he had Pierre's assurance that they would remain such until the demands he intended to make upon their relatives should be complied with.

But, after all, Arthur did not experience the satisfaction he had hoped he would, for the robbers had treated him very roughly.

The chief had raised his own gun over his head; another had choked him with his lasso, and a third had pointed a loaded pistol at him.

That was a nice way to treat a visitor! Arthur began to wish that he had never had any thing to do with Pierre and his band.
The chief, who rode in advance with the pack-horse, led the way at a break-neck pace, and the boys, being one behind the other, each in company with the Ranchero who had him in charge, were allowed no opportunity to converse with one another, even had they desired it.
Frank, for want of something better to do, began to make an examination of the members of the band.