“Here goes then, blame you! I was only playing at first; I am fighting now!” exclaimed the angry guerrilla. There were a few more rapid passes, and then Mutchison sent the rapier flying from Mim’s hand, and with a sweeping back stroke struck him under the knees, and brought him suddenly to the ground. For the first time Elfie screamed, and covered her eyes. “Now beg for quarter, you cursed little idiot!” roared the guerrilla, with his foot upon the small hero’s chest. “Never! I’ll die before I’ll ask my life from you!” answered Mim, defiantly. “Well, you’re a spirited little gnat, that’s certain! And I’ll give you your life. Get up!” laughed Mutchison, removing his foot from Mim’s chest, and turning away to look after his men. Elfie stooped to raise her fallen champion. “Oh Mim! Mim, dear, are you hurt?” she said, giving him her hand to assist him in rising. “No—I’m furious! Let me up and at him!” exclaimed the mite, struggling to his feet and looking about for his rapier. “But, dear Mim, you can’t—you mustn’t! You stand in the position of a paroled prisoner now. The man spared your life!” “I didn’t ask him! and I’ll cut off his head!” “So you shall the minute you are at liberty to do so; but now you must keep your implied parole,” said Elfie, holding him fast; for she was really fond of the brave little fellow, in a sisterly sort of fashion, and she could not bear that he should recklessly and uselessly fling away his life. Meanwhile Mutchison turned to his band, who now filled the whole area. “Hoi, my men! No bloodshed! Disarm these dainty gentlemen without hurting them! afterwards we will know what to do with them!” roared the guerrilla leader. No need to caution the men against bloodshed! There was nothing to provoke the most wanton to it! Little Mim, to his everlasting honor and glory, had been the only man to show fight. The others had not even made a pretence of resistance. Where would have been the use? “What could they ’gainst the shock of hell?” The picnic party numbered about thirty-five persons, of whom eighteen were ladies. There were, then, but seventeen gentlemen; and against them two hundred fierce guerrillas! Successful resistance was clearly impossible, and the picnickers yielded without a blow! “Come!” said Mutchison, striding into the midst of the area and gazing around upon his “ragged rascals.” “Come! I think the first thing to be done is to exchange clothing with these well-dressed gentlemen, as far as they will go; and those among you, my brave boys, who don’t get a nice garment, shall have its equivalent in money or jewelry, of which I suppose there is no lack among the company present.” A shout of approbation from the band responded to this speech.