“Don’t mind them,” said he, as Arthur rode beside him.  “They are a set of blackguards, and don’t know how to treat a gentleman.”

“Now, that’s like a true friend,” replied Arthur.  “You’re the only one I have on the ranch.”

Joaquin was a villainous-looking Mexican, and since he had been in Mr. Vane’s employ, he had had little to do with the other herdsmen.  He seemed to prefer to be alone, unless he could have Arthur for company.  He always took a great deal of interest in the boy’s affairs, and it was from his lips that Arthur had heard the story of Frank’s adventures with Pierre Costello.  Joaquin had gained Arthur’s good will by confiding to him a great many secrets, and one day he went so far as to confess that Pierre was his particular friend, and that, if he felt so disposed, he could point out the cave in the mountains where the robber was concealed, and tell who it was that supplied him with food, and kept him posted in all that happened in the settlement.  Joaquin might have added, further, that he himself had held several long interviews with Pierre of late, and had talked over with him certain plans, in which Arthur Vane and his three companions of the previous day bore prominent parts.  But this was one secret that the Ranchero kept to himself.

“If you know where the robber is hidden, why don’t you tell Mr. Winters, and claim the reward?” Arthur had one day asked Joaquin.

“What! betray my best friend!” exclaimed that worthy, in great astonishment.  “I am not base enough to abuse any man’s confidence.  Do you suppose that if you were in Pierre’s place, and I knew where you were concealed, that I could be hired to play false to you?  No, sir!”

Arthur remembered this remark, and on this particular morning, as he rode out with the Ranchero, he called the latter’s attention to it, and asked if he could trust him.  The reply was a strong affirmative, which satisfied Arthur that he might speak freely, and the result was, the revelation of his plan for taking revenge on Frank, Johnny, and Archie.  Joaquin listened attentively, and Arthur was delighted at the readiness, and even eagerness, with which the herdsman fell in with his ideas, and promised his assistance.  He had one amendment to propose, that did not exactly suit Arthur; but, after a little argument, he agreed to it.  They talked the matter over for half an hour, and then Arthur started for home, and the Ranchero galloped off to attend to his stock.

That night, after all his companions were asleep, Joaquin crept quietly out of his quarters, and, after saddling his horse, rode toward the mountains.  He was gone nearly all night, but returned in time to get to bed before the herdsmen awoke; and, when he arose with the others, none of them knew that he had been away from the rancho.  Arthur Vane must have known something about it, however, for the next morning, as soon as he had eaten his breakfast, he mounted his horse, and overtook Joaquin, just as he was leaving his quarters.