25 
The primary object sought in her abduction 
was doubtless a heavy ransom from her wealthy 
parent for her safe return. The appearance of 
the lovely captive at the rendezvous of the bri- 
gand band at once gave rise to a peculiar com- 
plication that hardly any amount of money 
could possibly settle. The manly young son 
of the stern old chief of the band at once 
fell in love with the beautiful maiden. His 
eccentric yet iron-willed father so encouraged 
the son’s tender fancy as to issue a decree, that 
went forth to the tribe, that in the sweet, young 
captive, the band saw their future queen. Of 
course such an edict, issued by the head and 
despotic ruler of the band, warranted to the 
beautiful but sad maiden the full devotion 
and personal service of every member. But 
there was one dissenting voice among the 
usually strictly obedient band; this was the 
gallant young leader of the small party that 
abducted the lovely prize. He _ hesitated 
not to vehemently protest against the unjust 
procedure of disposing of his hostage without 
the consent or agreement of the band that se- 
cured the prize. He boldly declared his depth- 
less love for the fair maiden, and further stated 
that for weeks he, with a few picked and trusted 
associates, had time after time sought the oc- 
casion that so opportunely placed her in 
his hands. He would pay the ransom for the 
mutual profit of the band if it was demanded, 
but he sternly protested against such an unpre- 
