They were on the warpath and redskin or paleface was equally welcome. Yet so craftily did Comanche Tony approach that he was almost upon them ere the keen eyes of the expectant bucks had detected his stooping form as he glided from one rock to another with absolute noiselessness. Startled to think that any one could get so near to them and disappointed that they were to capture only one prisoner, the bucks watched the bandit steal nearer and nearer. Bodies crouched, muscles tense, the savages waited till their victim was close to the fire. Scenting a trick, since he had been allowed to approach unchallenged and could discern no sleeping forms about the fire, Comanche Tony had turned, determined to get back to his pals without delay. But he was too late. No sooner had he faced about than the air was full of leaping forms which the glare from the fires showed to be streaked with gaudy-hued paints. Instantly the outlaw realized that they were Indians. Yet so sudden had been their appearance that they were upon him, encircling him with their powerful arms, ere he could draw his six shooters. For the moment, it maddened him to think that he, old Indian fighter that he was, had walked unsuspectingly into the snare of the cunning redmen, but only for a moment. If he had been caught, his pals should not be. And, utterly heedless of what the consequences might be to himself, the intrepid old bandit let out a yell. Startled, the bucks gazed at their captive an instant, then their amazement gave way to snarls as a dozen hands sought Tony's throat, to choke off his outcry. And it was the terrific pressure exerted by the steel-like fingers that had given to the shout of warning, the peculiar half wail, half roar, which Jesse and his men had heard. Maddened by such defiance, the redskins uttered a few hoarse commands and the next instant Tony felt himself lifted from his feet and carried, in sturdy arms, up a path in the cliff. But even then, desperate as his predicament was, the fearless outlaw's thoughts were of his fellows rather than of himself and he muttered: "I've warned the boys, anyhow, no matter if I did get caught in springing the trap." Yet he was quickly recalled to his surroundings by feeling his feet set on a rock. Accustomed by this time to the darkness, Comanche Tony was able to make out that he and his captors were on a ledge in the cliff along the edge of which was a black, irregular mass. Forgetting, in his eagerness to discover what this was, that he was a prisoner, the intrepid bandit stepped forward. Uttering vicious grunts, two bucks grabbed him and threw him roughly against the wall of rock behind them. "Paleface heap fool," snarled one of his guards. "Get too fresh, fall over ledge, spoil Injun's fun!" "By my scalp, but I must have suthin' pleasant ahead of me if fallin' to my death will spoil these devil's fun!" thought Comanche Tony.