"Nor a nugget neither," came from Morgan Fitzsimmons. "We have got the upper hand, and you know it." "We are going to capture you and get the gold, too," said Mark. "Perhaps you think we have the gold with us," said Morgan Fitzsimmons. "You have," cried Maybe Dixon. "Nothing of the kind. We hid it away, miles from here." "Do you think he tells the truth?" asked Mark. "I do not," answered Maybe Dixon. "I saw the bag several times as the rascals rode along. If they got rid of it at all it was just before they made for this cave." "You'll give up that gold right enough," shouted one of the miners in the posse. "We'll make you tell where it is, even if it takes a rope to do it." "That's the talk!" cried another. "Hanging is too good for such skunks!" At the mention of hanging Morgan Fitzsimmons turned deathly pale. "Will they dare to--to hang us?" he faltered. "Like as not," said Sag Ruff. "To tell the truth, we are in a tight box." "Perhaps they will let us go, if we give up all the gold." "I don't think so. We have led them a long chase and they are mad." "What shall we do?" "Hold them at bay for the present, until those two greasers report. If we can get out the back way it will give us something of a chance to escape." "But they can come in this way." "Not if we let down those rocks," and Sag Ruff pointed to some rocks overhead that seemed to be loose and ready to fall. "Can we do that?" "I think so." The two Mexicans had gone to the rear of the cave to investigate. The place was long and narrow, making several sharp turns. It was of solid rock, with an uneven flooring. In one spot some water trickled down the side and formed a pool below. The horses were standing some distance back from the front entrance. They were all but exhausted and needed a long rest before they would be fit to proceed on another journey. Sag Ruff knew this, and it vexed him exceedingly. "If you don't come out of that, we'll shoot at you," said Maybe Dixon, at last. "We are bound to get you, so you might as well give up now as later." "Will you compromise?" "No." "Then we won't give up, and if you shoot, so will we," answered Sag Ruff. He was growing reckless and was fit for any deed of daring. A shot rang out and the bullet whistled over his head. He fired two shots in return, one at Maybe Dixon and one at Mark. Then came more shots from outside, but none of them took effect. "Fire at them!" cried Sag Ruff to Morgan Fitzsimmons. "It's the only way we can keep them back." The man from Philadelphia did as ordered, but his aim was poor and nobody was struck. The first bullets had grazed the coats of Maybe Dixon and Mark, but that was all. Thinking it unsafe to remain near the mouth of the cave, our friends withdrew to the shelter of the rocks. Hardly had they done so when some shots rang out, coming from above the cave. "They must have gone to the rear!" cried Mark. "What shall we do?"