Once in Santa Fe, Kent King knew that he was doomed, for, thence down into Texas the herders would doubtless go in company with trains, and all chances of escape would be cut off forever from him; or, perhaps, the Texans, in the height of their revels in the town, might take upon themselves to hang him, and try him for his crimes afterward. A man of indomitable will and undisputed courage, he would meet death bravely, looking it squarely in the face, come when or how it might. But, possessed of a fascination of manner that made him a dangerous friend to women, a talent for card playing that kept his pockets always full of gold, and a love of life that was as strong as his disregard for the lives of others, he was determined to make a bold attempt to escape. To do so by physical force and daring he knew was impossible among the men who held him prisoner, and he therefore must use strategy. “You look blue to-night, pard,” Kent King had said to Poker Dick in his pleasant way, after the other herders had assembled around the camp fires. “I is blue,” was the answer. “Why, I should think you would be happy, as we will soon reach Santa Fe, where you expect a good time, and after that you are going back home.” “Home is what makes me blue, pard. I hes lost to ther boys all I got fer my leetle drove o’ hoof critters, an’ I’m going back to ther old folks without a dollar, unless I kin win some dust in Santa Fe.” “I have some money with me,” said the prisoner. “Guess yer will keep it, too.” “Not if you want it.” “Pard, I isn’t ther man ter take gold from a corpse, fer yer is leetle more, seein’ as how yer’ll be h’isted soon as we reach Texas.” “That is just what I wish to avoid. I have gold with me, and if by any chance I could escape, why, then, you wouldn’t have to go back poor.” The guard started and turned pale, for the wily tempter had touched his sordid nature. “Well, Poker Dick, what say you? I have gold and you have none.” “What will yer give me, pard, fer ter drop off to sleep an’ let yer skip?” asked Poker Dick, in a whisper. Then came the answer that opens this story: “One thousand dollars for my life.” CHAPTER II. A DOUBLE REWARD FOR LIFE. To the prisoner and his guard the time dragged wearily along, and the song and laughter from around the camp fires grated harshly upon their ears. The guard, although knowing that nine hundred dollars, with diamonds worth five times that sum, would soon be his, was in no more cheerful mood than when he had been moneyless, for his heart told him that he was about to betray his comrades, and set free a man whose mission on earth seemed to be to kill and to bring unhappiness, and against whom he knew his captain had some bitter feud. One by one the Texans wrapped themselves in their blankets and sank to sleep. Gradually the fires burned down, and only the moonlight lit up the scene, still picturesque in its silence.