"Let me take a shot at him," whispered the sergeant by my side. "I think I can fetch him 'ithout touchin' the gurl." "No--no!" I hastily answered, "Leave it to me. For your life, don't fire--not yet!" I stood trembling--uncertain what course to pursue. I had my own rifle in hand, and was considering whether I should not risk taking a shot at the ruffian. Under other circumstances I should have been confident enough of making a sure one; but just then I felt my nerves shaking through the throes of my excited heart. It was a terrible crisis. The sinews of Tell could not have been more severely tried, as he adjusted his arrow to the string. The bandit seemed thoroughly to comprehend my hesitation. There was something fiendishly exultant in the laugh with which he followed up his last speech. "Now, senor Yankee!" he went on, without waiting for a reply. "I hope you are ready to accede to my request. If so, state your terms for our release; and remember! make them easy, or it will be impossible for us to accept them. I don't wish to hurry you. As it's a matter of some importance to both of us, and to _her_ as well,"--I could see him nod towards Mercedes--"I beg you will take time to consider. Meanwhile, we shall retire, and patiently await your answer." Saying this, he receded from the parapet--as I supposed, still staying on the azotea. The white shield was drawn back along with him: and once more Mercedes was out of sight--leaving me to fell fancies, more torturing than the sting of the _tarantula_. CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT. THE SWING BRIDGE. I stood for some time chafing, irresolute. There seemed no help for it, but complying with the brigand's request. The log cabin could not be successfully stormed without a fearful sacrifice of the lives of my men--which I was unwilling to make. Not but that _they_ were willing--one and all of them. Stung by the insulting tone of the robber-chief, they were ready to rush forward, defiant of death, and die in the act of obtaining vengeance. The vile threat still ringing in their ears alone restrained them--as it did myself. No one doubted that the monster meant what he had said; and we knew that, if driven to desperation, he would carry out his atrocious design. There was no alternative but to make terms with him--the best we could obtain. Stepping back behind the trees, and summoning around me half a dozen of my most experienced men, we proceeded to discuss the points of capitulation. No words were wasted. Tortured by the thought of that loved form still trembling in the loathsome embrace of the brigand, I lost no time in taking the opinions of my comrades. As my voice ruled the council, they coincided with my own; which was: that the robbers should be permitted to leave the place without further molestation--their captives to remain with us.