He did not know what reply to make--there was nothing he could say or do.

Entreaties and resistance were alike useless.
"Well, what are you thinking about ?" inquired the Ranchero.
"I was wondering if a greater villain than yourself ever lived," replied Frank.
"We will talk about that as we go along," said Pierre.

"Get off that horse, now; I am going to send him home." Frank, seeing no way of escape, was about to obey this order, when the truant, Marmion, came in sight, trotting leisurely up the path, carrying in his mouth the rabbit, which he had succeeded in gnawing out of the log.

He stopped short on discovering Pierre, dropped his game, and gathered himself for a spring.
"Take him, Marmion!" yelled Frank, as he straightened himself up in his saddle.

"If it is all the same to you, Mr.Pierre, I'll not go to the mountains this evening." The Ranchero did not wait to receive the dog.