One of the other leaders was
standing talking to him. 'Jehoshophat!' said I, 'he is going out.
We are safe for awhile.'
"El Zeres was a slight, wiry man, with a small wicked-looking eye,
which gave one the 'squerms' to look at, and a thin mouth curved up
in a cruel smile. He was the savagest and most bloodthirsty of all
the Mexican partisans. The man with him was a tall, swarthy,
ferocious-looking villain.
"El Zeres looked at us for some time without a word. Then he said,
'I've got you at last; I've been on the lookout for you for a long
time past.'
"'It hasn't been our fault we haven't met before,' said Rube; which
was true enough, for we had given him a close chase several times.
El Zeres only gave an evil smile, but the other Mexican exclaimed
savagely, 'You dog, do you dare to answer?' and struck Rube across
the face with all his force with his heavy whip.
"Rube turned quite white, and then with a tremendous effort he
broke the cowhide thongs which fastened his hands--not new rope,
mind you, but cowhide--just as if it had been so much grass, and
went right at the fellow who had struck him. The Mexicans gave a
cry of astonishment, and threw themselves upon Rube, El Zeres
shouting at the top of his voice, 'Don't draw a knife, don't draw a
knife; I'll hang any man who injures him.
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