“Well, what have you aboard to interest me, other than the fair lady on the box with you?” “Nothing, for I’m running light; but I was in hopes you was dead.” “Oh, no; I am still on deck, as you see. “But have you no dust from the mines on board?” “Not an ounce.” “No money?” “This ain’t after pay time, as you know, so no money goes East on this run.” “Well, I believe you, but I shall search your old hearse, all the same.” He called to his followers, and they completely surrounded the coach. Then he began the search personally. “What is in these boxes in the rear boot?” “Weapons sent to Colonel Buck from the fort sutler; he ordered them.” “They are treasure. Give me your hatchet.” The driver passed it down, and, knocking open the boxes, the chief said: “Good! repeating rifles and revolvers--just what I need; yes, and ammunition, too, with bowie knives and belts. Ah! here are a couple of fine saddles and bridles, too, and a roll of superb serapes. Why, Jack, I am in luck, especially as a decoy letter I wrote got Miss Fallon into my power, though I regret to see that her father is not along. Miss Fallon, the letter from your lawyer I forged. It has done its duty.” When the outlaw chief spoke of the letter Lucille’s face flushed, and her eyes brightened with indignation and anger. She knew that she was the victim of a plot, and quick as a flash she whipped out from her belt a small revolver and threw it forward, her finger upon the trigger. There was no tremor of the hand, the act was one of determined intention to kill the man, and she would have done so then and there, for he was caught wholly off his guard, had not Jack Jessop struck up her hand just as she pulled trigger. The bullet, as it was, cut through the corner of the chief’s sombrero. “A close call, that! Jack Jessop, you saved my life, so I’ll not kill you, as I intended to do; that act saved you.” “I didn’t do it for you, but to save her,” grunted Jack. “Oh, I know your intention, but the act was the same, for you saved me from death. “Miss Fallon, you are as quick as a flash as a drawer, and a ready hand with a revolver. You owe it to Jack Jessop that you do not suffer for your intended taking of my life, for my men would have been quickly revenged upon you. Give me that weapon, please.” Lucille sat, white, silent, and almost despairing. But she turned and handed the weapon to Jack Jessop, who in turn surrendered it with his own weapons to the chief. “Get off the box, Jack.” The man obeyed. “Now, Miss Fallon, do you also alight.” She also obeyed. “Jack, I shall put these irons on your ankles. You can walk with them, for the chain is a foot long, but slowly. You will have to walk to the next station, and you’ll hardly reach there before night. I need your horses, so will take them, and I have pack animals along, too, for the plunder.