So they finally struck out at random. Leaving the tableland they skirted a part of the mountain wall. Suddenly a startling thing occurred. From a chaparral a score of greasers sprang out and surrounded them. Revolvers were leveled at their heads, and the leader, a villainous looking fellow, exclaimed: “Caramba! Move hand or foot and you’re dead men!” “Heavens!” gasped Frank, in dismay. “We are in for it, Barney.” “Bad luck to the omadhouns,” muttered the Celt, in disgust. In a twinkling the two prisoners were disarmed and their hands were bound behind them. Then the Mexicans led them away into the chaparral. After going some ways bandages were bound across their eyes. Thus blindfolded they were led along for over an hour. Then suddenly the buzz of voices came to their ears and the bandages were removed. A startling scene was spread before Frank and Barney. They were in a deep dell among the hills. Tall, solemn-looking mountain pines overshadowed the place. About them stood a line of armed men. The leader now advanced and said: “We know you, senors. You have come here with your Steam Man to make war upon Miguel Costello. By his orders we now consign you to a living death. You shall feel the weight of Costello’s vengeance.” Then he turned and waved his hands to his men. Instantly two of them advanced and laid hands upon the prisoners. And now Frank saw the mouth of a deep mining shaft before him. Its ragged sides and the decayed beams showed that it had long been disused. A chill of horror came over the young inventor. “My God!” he reflected, “they mean to throw me down there.” It seemed at that moment as if he was doomed to an awful death. But the leader of the greasers, who seemed to read his mind, said: “Fear not, senor. We shall not relieve you of life in so summary a manner.” A rope was quickly wound about Frank’s waist and then about Barney. Both men were led to the mouth of the shaft and then the other end of the rope thrown over the windlass. Several men operated the windlass, and Frank and Barney were swung into space over the mouth of the shaft. It was a frightful moment for them. What the distance was to the bottom of the shaft they could only guess. It was in reality a thousand feet. Down they were slowly lowered. The windlass creaked above them, the light of day went out, and it seemed truly as if they were going out of the world forever. A mocking voice came down the shaft. “I hope you will find it pleasant down there, senors. Many good men have gone there before you, and you will find their bones. You can know your fate now. Nobody will ever find you down there, for the existence of this shaft is known to no one but Costello and his men.” Frank Reade, Jr., was ordinarily as brave as a lion. But it seemed at that moment as if he must yield to despair. “Death!” he muttered, with white lips. “Why should I fear it, and yet I cannot face it.” Poor Barney was beside himself with terror.