“I ran this stick in under the jaw and just shook the head at him,” chuckled Doctor Dan. “Didn’t it scare him, though? Ha! Ha! Ha! Where is Charley, Dick? What in the world have you been about to let those fellows capture you? Oh, don’t be afraid of them. They are all dead drunk and asleep in the hut there but that man and he is such a coward that--ha--here he comes now.” Mudd stepped out of the hut at that moment. His jaw dropped when he saw Dick free and Doctor Dan with him. Evidently Martin Mudd believed in the old adage that “he who fights and runs away may live to fight another day,” for he ran off up the lake shore as fast as his condition would allow. Doctor Dan gave chase and fired two or three shots after him, but he did not catch the man and actually did not try. Mudd disappeared among the rocks which lined the shore, and the Indian soon returned and joined Dick in front of the hut. Dick was listening at the door and he held up his finger as Doctor Dan approached. “There’s one of them moving about inside there,” he whispered. “Keep still.” “Let ’em move,” said Doctor Dan. “Who are they, anyway? I looked in through the window and saw a lot of fellows lying about drunk in there, but they are all strangers to me. Say, where’s Charley, Dick?” “Dead, I’m afraid,” replied Dick, hoarsely. “Help me, doctor! That young lady I told you about is a prisoner in there. I’ll explain later, but we must settle with these fellows first.” “I’ll soon settle ’em,” chuckled Doctor Dan. “I’ll send them after your friend Mudd.” He ran back to the rocks and soon returned dragging the head of the Plesiosaurus after him, but it was not needed. All was quiet inside the hut now and when Dick ventured to open the door softly they were all sound asleep. Tony lay in the bunk, but the others were stretched out upon the floor. “Keep your eye on ’em, doctor,” whispered Dick, and he made for the loft ladder. In a few moments Clara came down the ladder and Dick quickly followed her. Doctor Dan took off his hat politely and Dick introduced Clara when they got outside. “Most happy to make your acquaintance, miss,” said the guide. “I have met your father. Once I had trouble with him. He got angry with me when I was guiding a party of prospectors among the Black Hills and tried to kill me. He shot at me twice, but I escaped. I only mention this so you may know just who I am.” Dick was greatly troubled. Clara turned red and pale again as she took Dick’s arm. “Doctor Dan,” she said, very quietly, “I know my father is a hard man. I can only say that I am sorry that--that----” “Say nothing,” broke in Doctor Dan. “I am an Indian, but I bear no malice toward you, miss. As for your father----” “Don’t doctor! Please don’t for my sake!” pleaded Dick. “Well, I’d do a good deal for your sake, young fellow,” said Doctor Dan. “I’m dumb. Come on. We want to get away from here.”