He did not know how to answer this question, so he kneeled down by the spring, and took a drink, in order to gain time to reflect.

"I was obliged to stand it," said he, at length, looking up at his companions.

"I couldn't help myself.

I say, boys," he added, desiring to turn the conversation into another channel, "you've got us into a nice scrape by your cowardice.

If you had followed me, those fellows would have been the prisoners now." At this moment the robber chief approached the group, holding in his hand a sheet of soiled paper and a lead pencil.