But hardly had he spoken when from out of the coach window came a flash and report. The miner within, awakening to a sense of his danger, had taken a hand in the affair. The bullet barely missed the head of the masked horseman, who at once returned the fire, aiming first, however, at the young man on the box. With a groan the latter fell heavily to the ground, his revolver half-drawn from its holster, and the murderer, leaping from his saddle, took refuge among the horses while he called out: "I have killed your two comrades, and you share the same fate unless you surrender." "I cry quits, pard," came in frightened tones from the coach, and the man was evidently now sobered and greatly alarmed. "Then come out!" The miner quickly threw open the stage door, put his foot upon the step and then peered cautiously toward his foe. Instantly there came a shot, and, without a moan, he pitched forward head foremost and fell in a heap between the wheels. "Any more?" called out the road-agent sternly. No answer came, and, revolvers in hand, he stepped to one side and opened fire at the coach. He fired with both hands, and did not cease until he had emptied his weapons and riddled the coach. Then he unslung his rifle from his saddle-horn and cautiously approached, ready to fire at the first sign of danger to himself. But he had done his work well, and he had nothing to fear, so advancing to the coach, found that it was empty. Quickly he set about searching the vehicle for all of value that it might carry. He found a roll of bills belonging to the miner, and a few things of value in his valise. The young man panned out for him nearly a thousand in money, and some jewelry, and Dave Dockery was pretty well supplied with funds. But the masked marauder searched rapidly on, and evidently looked for a richer haul yet. The box was found with the money in it, and a bullet fired from his revolver shattered the lock. "Ah! here is a haul worth all risks to get," he muttered, and the contents of the chest were put in a sack and tied upon his saddle. His work thus far had taken but a few minutes, and, apparently satisfied with what booty he had secured, he shot one of the wheel-horses, to prevent the team going on with the coach, and, mounting the splendid animal he rode, and which was covered, head and all, with a black calico covering, he dashed away down the pass at a gallop. CHAPTER VI. THE DUMB MESSENGER. Hardly had the masked road-agent ridden away, when a deep groan came from the lips of Dave Dockery. His eyes opened, and after a supreme effort, which cost him the greatest agony, as moans would force themselves through his shut teeth, he was able to slip down from the box to the ground. He knelt by the side of the man who had been his companion a few minutes before, full of life and vigor, and found him motionless. Then he crept on hands and knees to the side of the miner. "Dead!" came from between his clenched teeth.