The canyon narrowed toward the extreme end, and certain cavernous fissures in the rocks on the left-hand side seemed to indicate a sure and safe hiding place for marauders. A huge mass of rock lay directly in the path. It appeared as if it had been detached from the parent basalt by some tremendous convulsion of nature. Finding it necessary to make a slight detour to avoid the obstacle, Smithers turned the heads of the oxen. Scarcely had he turned a dozen yards before two men on foot stepped out from behind the rock. This had been their hiding place. Crape masks covered their faces, and served effectually to conceal their features. The foremost, who appeared to be the leader, exclaimed, in a commanding voice: "Halt!" Smithers, who was by no means a brave man, trembled in every limb. Both men were armed with pistols, which, as if to increase the man's terror, they leveled at his head, and with such an accuracy of aim that he could see by the direction of the muzzle that he was completely covered. Mr. Smithers halted the oxen, Mrs. Smithers and the children crouched down in the wagon and furtively watched the actions of the robbers. "Hold up your arms!" commanded the captain. Smithers did as he was directed, and extended his arms in the air. "Where are you from, and what have you got?" was the next question. "From Jersey City, and last from Omaha," replied Smithers. "I have a few stores in the wagon, and very little money. It is all I have to keep my wife and two children. Gentlemen, for pity's sake, don't deprive us of our only means of gaining a livelihood!" "Oh, drop on yourself!" answered the captain, impatiently. "Play light! What are you?--a ranting preacher?" "I was a dry-goods clerk, sir." "What made you quit Jersey City? No lies now!" "I--I robbed my employers, sir, and had to leave," replied Smithers, in some confusion. The other laughed. "That's a good joke!" he exclaimed. "You steal all you can lay your hands on, and then object to being robbed in your turn. Turn and turn about's a square deal, you know." He advanced to the wagon. "Get out of there! Hurry up!" he commanded. The children hastened to comply with this order, for the man's appearance was so fierce, and the tone of his voice so brutal, that they were afraid he would shoot them without mercy. Mrs. Smithers was the last to alight. The captain extended his hand to assist her, but started back as soon as he beheld her face. "Je-rusalem!" he muttered. She stood before him calmly, and said, in a voice that trembled with emotion: "Pray spare us, sir! We are very poor, and----" "Stop that chinning!" cried the man, in a voice somewhat gruffer, if possible, than that he had formerly employed, and which afforded a presumption that he was striving to disguise it. She was silent instantly. "Ben," said the captain, "take this woman away and place her--you know where. I'll attend to the bloke and the kids."