"I am sorry to be obliged to refuse your request, Mr. Shag, but the fact is I cannot recognize you." "Wot's thet mean?" gasped the amazed man. "Let me say a word," interposed Claverton. "Aren't you getting into rather deep water, Mr. Rimmon?" "I am a good swimmer, judge, and——" "Hold on! that isn't the idee at all. Dix Lewis is out of the mail business, and I have in my official capacity appointed Mr. Shag mail carrier on the Kanawha route. Haven't I the authority in my official capacity to do so?" "I haven't time in my present situation to argue that point, but I will say that I am not going to be governed by your order at this time. "Come, men, if you are ready for a start, we will not delay any longer. Bid Mrs. Lewis to be of good cheer, and assure her that we will send her word as soon as we have learned anything in regard to his fate. "Good-morning, Judge Claverton, Mr. Shag, and Mr. Meiggs." While the surprised trio stood speechless witnesses, the little cavalcade dashed down the road at a smart canter. "Did ye ever see ennything like thet?" asked Shag, as soon as he had recovered his breath. "Rimmon is carrying a high hand," acknowledged Claverton. "Why can't we help ourselves to thet ol' sack? He ain't no right to keep it arter this time o' day. Say th' word an' I'll git it in a jiffy." "Better let it alone. Jack Rimmon ain't a good man to buck against. All we can do is to see what will happen next." Though both of his companions were prone to object to this inactivity, they could do no better than to submit. CHAPTER XXII. AN UNDERGROUND RACE. Let us see how it is faring with Little Snap. As we have seen, his surprise knew no bounds, as he listened to the sound of the voice which was unmistakably his father's. Anxious to see if he could learn what his father's presence there meant, while Bird Burrnock was speaking he cautiously advanced, crawling upon his hands and knees. He soon paused as he found himself in a position to look into the cavern room containing the speakers, though they were not in sight of him. He stopped abruptly as he heard his father's voice again answering the outlaw chief. "The last of them must be put out of the way!" he was saying, "and I am the man to do it." "Of course ye air," replied Bird Burrnock. "How soon can ye do yit?" Little Snap was about to make another move forward, hoping to be able to get a view of the speakers, his hearing strained to its utmost tension to catch every word that was spoken. He heard his father's voice again falling on the unnatural stillness of the place, when suddenly he was startled by a sound behind him which he recognized as the stealthy footstep of a man swiftly approaching him. Expecting to meet none but enemies there, he put the voice from his mind instantly, and turned to look for some way of escape.