"Often--very often. But what can I do? Even though the road was open to me--and I am lost here as completely as though out of the world--I could not desert father. You have seen him--do you think I would ever return to life? He is mad--incurably so, I fear," gloomily responded the maiden. "But if I can induce him to go with us, will you object? You will like my friends, Duplin and Burr. Think of what your fate would be were--in case any thing should happen to your father." "I would die--perhaps starve to death. I try not to think of that. I only know that I can never desert _him_. I am all that he seems to care for on earth, now. While he lives, my place is with him." "But if he agrees to go with us?" "Where he goes, I will go. But don't think too much of that. I fear he will refuse." "Hist! is that not the sound of some one climbing up the rocks?" hastily muttered Tyrrel, not a little excited, half-hoping that his friends had discovered his retreat. "I will go see. Perhaps 'tis father returning," and Lucy hastened to the entrance. In a moment she returned, pale and agitated. Tyrrel felt a strange fluttering at his heart, for he was unarmed. If an enemy, they were indeed lost! CHAPTER IX. THE OUTLAW'S HOME. But what of the train wending its weary way among the hills, trying, under the guidance of Major Guilford, to follow the blind trail? Ah, it is a query pregnant with sad events--with tears and sighs--with acts that make human nature seem like demon-nature. For here, in the outlaw's lair, away up among the hills--in his secret grotto--we find--who? Why, Lottie Mitchell! And consoling her in her terrible grief is Mabel, the professed daughter of Major Guilford, but now the acknowledged wife and emissary of Yellow Jack! And outside we hear the voice of Major Guilford, and learn from his conversation, first, the fact that he is Yellow Jack's first-lieutenant; and second, the particulars of the slaughter of that entire train, which, following his guidance, was led into an ambuscade, and every soul in it ruthlessly slain by the outlaws, as they had destroyed and slain other trains. The diabolical glee which the affair excited in the outlaw camp revealed the nature of the ruffians with whom Guilford consorted. But he had other matters also to discuss with some of the men. He had rescued Lottie Mitchell and brought her safely into the outlaw camp only to see Yellow Jack take her under his immediate protection. Was he to be deprived of his property? Was not Lottie his own by the laws of the band? And if so, by what right did the captain take her under his protection?