"Not on yer life," said Bud firmly. He drew his revolver, and a look of decision came into his face. When Bud took on this look he meant business. "Oh, Bud, don't oppose the terrible creature," whispered Stella, to whom fear had come again from looking on that blank but fascinating face. "No, by jing, I ain't goin' erlong with thet freak. If I could see his face an' knowed who he wuz I might talk business." As he said this the eyes behind the silver mask fairly shot forth sparks of anger, and again that horrible bubbling noise was heard. The creature raised his arm. There was a sudden rush, and Bud felt his arms grasped from behind. But as this happened he had presence of mind enough to point his revolver at the man in the silver mask and pull the trigger. The weapon crashed, and, as the smoke cleared away, Bud saw the thing of horror still standing unharmed where he had been, although the revolver had been pointed directly at his heart, while from behind the mask came again that sickening, bubbling laugh. At another signal from the figure Bud was dragged a little way up the hillside, and his wrists were securely tied, his arms embracing a tree. While this was being done Stella, too frightened to make an outcry, was led away, and, looking over his shoulder, Bud saw her mount Magpie and ride away surrounded by four men, led by the man with the silver face, who bestrode a splendid black charger. Bud was left alone to survive, if he could, the perils of frost and hungry wolves. CHAPTER XI. LOST IN THE WILDERNESS. Stella could not keep her eyes from the silver mask of the man who rode by her side. She was wondering continually at the mystery of him. For an hour or more they rode up one valley, then across a hill or stretch of prairie, and through valleys again, the black mountains coming nearer all the time, until at last they entered a forest of pines, which they traversed until night began to fall. At a gesture from "Silver Face," as Stella had named the man who rode by her side, the party came to a halt. Stella now saw that it was the intention to camp, for, while some of the men cared for the horses, others cut down several small pine trees and built a shelter of pine boughs, into which she was ushered, and before which a blazing fire had been lighted. It had grown very cold, and Stella was grateful for the heat that filled her shelter. One of the men had brought food, and a pan and coffeepot from a pack on one of the horses, and now began to cook supper. Stella fully realized the peril of her situation, but particularly that of Bud, who had been left alone, bound and helpless, in that wilderness. If he had not given the impression to the boys that he was going west instead of east, things might have been easier for them, but now Bud might perish of cold or be the prey of wild animals before Ted could come to their rescue, which she was sure he would do soon.