I hope you understand that ?" Arthur was thunderstruck.

"Why, Joaquin," said he, "Pierre promised me faithfully that I should be treated as a visitor, and that no ransom should be demanded for me." "And did you put any faith in that promise?
When your father gives us twenty thousand dollars, you can go, and not before." Arthur cried, begged, and threatened in vain.

Joaquin was firm, and the traitor was obliged to accompany him to the mountains.

That night he wrote to his father, informing him of his situation, and Joaquin, after tying his prisoner to a tree, and gagging him, to prevent him from shouting for assistance, rode to the settlement, and left the note on Mr.Vane's door-step.
During the three weeks following, Arthur led a most miserable life.

He had nothing to eat but dried meat, and but little of that.