His eyes gleamed like those of a snake, and appeared to fascinate the girl. Not a word did the giant utter, but his actions needed no explanation. He took a step towards Adele. She sank on her knees terribly frightened at the savage monster's move. The little hands were clasped and wrung despairingly, but they might just as well have appealed to a man of stone. As the long blade was raised the light glittered along the steel. "Be merciful, as you expect to receive mercy," moaned Adele. The giant did not expect any mercy; at least his actions betokened as much, for, as if he had not heard her at all, he continued to advance. Another step and he would be upon her. She seemed to shrink even closer to the rocky floor, and seeing no hope in that ferocious countenance, covered her eyes with her hands to shut out the dread sight. Unknown to himself, Red Goliath was sealing his own doom. As the knife quivered in the air, and was just about to descend, Mason's voice rang out through the cavern. CHAPTER XV. A MAN WHO NEVER BROOKED AN INSULT. Once within the rifle pits, Pandy Ellis drew his breath more easily, for the present danger was over. The first person he met was garbed as an officer, and this man, although brave as a lion, proved to be an arrogant fellow in this time of danger. "Whar kin I see Major Reno?" asked the ranger, laying his hand on the arm of the officer, a familiarity he seemed to resent, for he shook it off as he turned haughtily toward the other. "What are you doing here, fellow, when all brave men are at work?" Pandy smiled a little. He entertained a curious feeling toward the army. In one way he felt a contempt for them, and then again he almost reverenced everything pertaining to the great governmental system. "Because I've jest come in; crawled among the reds. Been wid Custer, an' by ther Lord Harry, seen ther general an' every man wiped out," said Pandy. "Look here, fellow; what canard is this?" demanded the officer. The ranger overlooked the insulting speech; for he knew that what he said was astounding news. His tone was dignified when he repeated it, however. "I said Custer, Cooke, Gates, Keogh and every man of 'em had gone under." "It is impossible, man alive; there is something behind this. Look here, fellow, do you know what we do with spies?" A vague notion had entered the officer's head that this might be a ruse of the enemy to force Reno to surrender. Pandy's eyes flashed fire; here was something he could not stand. "Do ye know what I would do wid such cusses as you? Wal, sir, I'd jist snap ye atween my fingers like a pipe-stem, bust me ef I wudn't," said Pandy, grimly. "And this to me!" exclaimed the officer, in such a tragic voice, that had Pandy ever read Scott's works he would have been reminded of Marmion and the noble earl, Lord Douglas. "Who the devil are you, sir, may I inquire?"