“Keep your seat, Colonel! I insist upon staying where I am,” answered Melville. He was physically far from formidable, this young man, but there was a resolute ring in his voice that showed he was in earnest. “Really, my dear sir,” said the Colonel, trying to conceal his annoyance, “you have been quite misled by my foolish talk. I did not suppose you were so nervous.” “Possibly I may have a special reason for being so,” returned George Melville. “What do you mean?” demanded the Colonel, quickly. “If you have, we are all interested, and ought to know it.” “The Colonel is right,” said the German. “If you know of any danger, it is only fair to inform us all.” “I am disposed to agree with you, gentlemen,” said Melville. “Briefly, then, I have good reason to think that this company of passengers has been marked for plunder.” Col. Warner started, but, quickly recovering himself, he laughed uneasily. “Tush!” he said, “I put no faith in it. Some one has been deceiving you, my friend.” But the other passengers took it more seriously. “You evidently know something that we do not,” said Parker. “I do,” answered Melville. Col. Warner looked at him searchingly, but did not speak. Now was the time to test George Melville's nerve. He was about to take a bold step. “Gentlemen,” he said, “I regret to say that I have every reason to believe there is a man in this stage who is in league with the road agents.” This statement naturally made a sensation. There were seven passengers, and each regarded the rest with new-born suspicion. There seemed, on the whole, about as much reason to suspect one man as another, and each, with the exception of Melville, found himself looked upon with distrust. “Pooh, Melville! You must have had bad dreams!” said Col. Warner, who was the first to recover his self-possession. “Really, I give you credit for a first-class sensation. As for you, gentlemen, you may take stock in this cock-and-bull story, if you like; I shall not. I, for one, have no fear of my fellow passengers. I regard them all as gentlemen, and shall not allow myself to be disturbed by any silly fears.” The air of calm composure with which the Colonel spoke served to tranquilize the rest of the passengers, who wished to put credit in his assurance. “The Colonel speaks sensibly,” said Mr. Parker, “and unless Mr. Melville assigns a reason for his remarkable belief, I am disposed to think we have taken alarm too quick.” “Of course, of course; all sensible men will think so,” said the Colonel. “My friend, we shall be tempted to laugh at you if you insist on entertaining us with such hobgoblin fancies. My advice is, to put up that weapon of yours, and turn your attention to the scenery, which I can assure you, gentlemen, is well worthy of your admiration. Just observe the walls of yonder canyon, and the trees growing on the points.”