"I think it may be worth my while to look you over." Just as Reade was ready to bound over the rocks a figure rose as though to meet him.

A light leap landed Reade on top of the stranger, who was borne to earth.
"Mercy senor!" begged the other.

"Do not be rough with me.

I am not strong enough to stand it." The man spoke Spanish and was well past middle age, of a very spare figure, and his face was very thin, although there was a deep flush on his cheeks.
"Oh, I beg your pardon," said Tom in Spanish.

He touched the stranger's cheeks, which were hot with fever.
Then Tom slid off his poor captive and squatted beside him.