In an instant the captain and the rest of my companions were around us.  I would have given anything at that moment had she been safe out of our hands, and in her father’s house.  It was too late.  The captain pronounced her a prize, and ordered that she should be borne to the mountains.  I represented to him that she was my prize, that I had a previous claim to her; and I mentioned my former attachment.  He sneered bitterly in reply; observed that brigands had no business with village intrigues, and that, according to the laws of the troop, all spoils of the kind were determined by lot.  Love and jealousy were raging in my heart, but I had to choose between obedience and death.  I surrendered her to the captain, and we made for the mountains.

She was overcome by affright, and her steps were so feeble and faltering, and it was necessary to support her.  I could not endure the idea that my comrades should touch her, and assuming a forced tranquillity, begged that she might be confided to me, as one to whom she was more accustomed.  The captain regarded me for a moment with a searching look, but I bore it without flinching, and he consented, I took her in my arms:  she was almost senseless.  Her head rested on my shoulder, her mouth was near to mine.  I felt her breath on my face, and it seemed to fan the flame which devoured me.  Oh, God! to have this glowing treasure in my arms, and yet to think it was not mine!

We arrived at the foot of the mountain.  I ascended it with difficulty, particularly where the woods were thick; but I would not relinquish my delicious burthen.  I reflected with rage, however, that I must soon do so.  The thoughts that so delicate a creature must be abandoned to my rude companions, maddened me.  I felt tempted, the stiletto in my hand, to cut my way through them all, and bear her off in triumph.  I scarcely conceived the idea, before I saw its rashness; but my brain was fevered with the thought that any but myself should enjoy her charms.  I endeavored to outstrip my companions by the quickness of my movements; and to get a little distance ahead, in case any favorable opportunity of escape should present.  Vain effort!  The voice of the captain suddenly ordered a halt.  I trembled, but had to obey.  The poor girl partly opened a languid eye, but was without strength or motion.  I laid her upon the grass.  The captain darted on me a terrible look of suspicion, and ordered me to scour the woods with my companions, in search of some shepherd who might be sent to her father’s to demand a ransom.

I saw at once the peril.  To resist with violence was certain death; but to leave her alone, in the power of the captain!—­I spoke out then with a fervor inspired by my passion and my despair.  I reminded the captain that I was the first to seize her; that she was my prize, and that my previous attachment for her should make her sacred among my companions.  I insisted, therefore, that he should pledge me his word to respect her; otherwise I should refuse obedience to his orders.  His only reply was, to cock his carbine; and at the signal my comrades did the same.  They laughed with cruelty at my impotent rage.  What could I do?  I felt the madness of resistance.  I was menaced on all hands, and my companions obliged me to follow them.  She remained alone with the chief—­yes, alone and almost lifeless!—­