This scheme, none too bold or hazardous for Wagner to undertake, presented a good many embarrassments to the more timid nature of his companion. Bold as a lion at the outset, he now found his courage, like that of Bob Acres, “oozing out of his fingers’ ends.” The more Wagner urged the attack, the stronger grew his objections, until at length he flatly refused, and the experiment was abandoned until the next morning. The campers knew nothing of this. One by one they sank to rest, and arose early the next morning to pursue their journey. While seated around the camp-fire at breakfast, near a sharp turn in the road, their attention was suddenly arrested by a voice issuing from the thicket, uttering the following ominous words: “You take my revolver and I’ll take yours, and you come right after me.” In a twinkling every man sprang for his gun and cocked his revolver. The sharp click, that “strange quick jar upon the ear,” probably satisfied the robbers that they had been overheard, for in a few moments after up rode Wagner and Marshland, with their shotguns thrown across their saddles, ready for use. The confused expression of the robbers when they saw that every man was prepared for their approach, betrayed their criminal designs. Recovering themselves in a moment, Marshland, who recognized Sloan, in a friendly tone called out, “How do you do, Mr. Sloan?” “Very well, _thank you_,” replied Billy, laying particular stress upon the complimentary words, the significance of which would have been more apparent, had he known that Marshland’s cowardice the night before had probably saved his life. The road agents inquired if the party had seen any horses running at large, or whether they had any loose stock in their train. “We have not,” was the prompt reply. “We were told by some half-breeds we met,” said Marshland, “that our animals were running with your train, and we rode on, hoping to find them.” “It’s a mistake,” was the answer, “we have no horses but our own.” With this assurance the robbers professed to be satisfied, and galloped on.