"We can be polite, even if we are enemies," said Urrea, "so I say good
morning to you both, former friends of mine."

"I have no friendship with spies and traitors," growled the Panther.

"I serve my country in the way I think best," said Urrea, "and you must
remember that in our view you two are rebels and traitors."

"We don't stab in the back," said the Panther.

Urrea flushed through his swarthy skin.

"We will not argue the point any further," he said, "but come at once to
the business before us. First, I will admit several things. Your rescue
of the prisoners was very clever. Also you beat us off last night, but I
now have a hundred men with me and we have plenty of arms. We are bound
to take you sooner or later."

"Then why talk to us about it?" said the Panther.

"Because I wish to save bloodshed."

"Wa'al, then, what do you have to say?"

"Give us the man, Roylston, and the rest of you can go free."

"Why are you so anxious to have Roylston?"

Ned eagerly awaited the answer. It was obvious that Roylston had rather
minimized his own importance. Urrea flicked the mane of his mustang with