Archie sat on his knees in the midst of the group, and, while his teeth were busy upon a sandwich, his eyes wandered from one to another of the Rancheros, and finally rested upon Mr.Mercedes, whose actions instantly riveted his attention.

It had evidently been a long time since the robbers had sat down to a respectable dinner, and they all seemed determined to make the most of it--especially Antoine, who devoted his attention entirely to the eatables that had been found in the pack-saddle.

He lay stretched out at full length on the ground, one hand being occupied in supporting his head, and the other in transferring the sandwiches from the table to his capacious mouth.

Two of the sandwiches would have made a good meal for an ordinary man, unless he was very hungry; but they did not go far toward satisfying the appetite of Mr.Mercedes, for, during the short time that Archie sat looking at him, he put no less than half a dozen out of sight, and seemed to have room for plenty more.

Archie began to be alarmed.