“One hears many things not pleasant, chief,” was the retort. “But we must not quarrel. Will you become my ally?” “That I must think over; to-morrow at this hour meet me here, and you shall know whether you can remain in these hills or must leave.” “No treachery, mind you, old man!” “I am no snake in the grass, boy; to-morrow, at this time, remember. I will to-night hold council with White Slayer and his chiefs.” The outlaw bowed, kissed his hand gallantly to Pearl, sprang into his saddle, and dashed down the glen, while the hermit and White Slayer turned and walked up the gorge, leaving the girl standing in the spot where the meeting had taken place. CHAPTER XXX. PEARL’S WARNING. For some moments after the departure of her father and White Slayer, Pearl stood in silent meditation, as though undecided what course to pursue. At length her mind seemed made up, and she started down the glen. But she had not taken a second step before she came to a sudden halt, for not twenty paces from her she beheld a man who had stepped from behind a large bowlder and advanced toward her. At first Pearl seemed about to run, but checking this determination, she stood on the defensive, with her rifle half raised to her shoulder. “I am a friend, miss, and the captain sent me back to give this to your father.” The man halted near her and held out his hand as if to give her something. He was a burly-looking fellow, clad half in buckskin, half in homespun, and was heavily armed with revolvers and knife. His face was wholly corrupt; in it there was not one redeeming expression. Pearl did not like his looks, and said suspiciously: “What captain do you refer to?” “Kansas King. I am his lieutenant, and am called Burke, miss.” “Bad Burke, is it not?” said Pearl quietly. “Well, my enemies do call me Bad Burke, miss, but it is because I am a bad hand with the knife, and no man dare meet me with it; but my friends don’t call me Bad Burke.” “Your friends? Why, I should not think a man like you had a single friend,” Pearl declared boldly. The face of Bad Burke turned livid with rage. His iron muscles seemed to swell up with suppressed emotion, while his evil eyes glittered like a snake’s. But, controlling himself, he forced a laugh, and answered: “Yes, miss, even a poor devil like me has friends; but here is the paper the captain sent to your father.” He again held forth his hand. Pearl reached forth to take what she believed to be a small scrap of paper. Her hand was seized in the iron grip of Bad Burke, who instantly drew her toward him. Before she could offer the slightest resistance or cry out, his hard palm was over her mouth, and she was held as firmly as though in a vise. But suddenly she saw a dark object descending from a ledge of rock fifteen feet above her.