They all took advantage of it but one, and that was Arietta. "I reckon you'll pay toll fur coming through Forbidden Pass, Young Wild West!" one of the villains exclaimed. "Hold him tight, boys! I'm glad yer didn't kill him when that shot was fired at him. I told Chuck not ter do it. Ther captain wants him alive. Git ther gal, too! This is what I call collectin' toll, all right!" Arietta's horse had been seized by the bit, and a ruffianly fellow stood holding him with one hand, while his other held a revolver that was pointed at the girl's breast. The rest of the party had succeeded in getting around a bend, but Wild knew they would not go very far. But before they had time to get back and do anything both he and Arietta were dragged up close to what seemed to be the rocky wall of the cliff. Then the curtain rolled up, and in they went, the outlaws following with those who had fallen and the horses. It was all done so quickly that our hero found himself in the darkness before he fairly realized what had happened. Arietta uttered a scream as she was hurried into the mouth of the hidden cave, but a hand was quickly placed over her mouth, and that ended any further chance to let Charlie and the rest know where they were being carried. Wild's weapons were taken from him while he was being dragged into the cave, and it was a very rough handling that he received. But he knew how useless it was, so he did no further struggling. The fact that the rest had succeeded in getting away was a little consolation, for that meant that they would come back and effect a rescue. Our hero placed the utmost dependence on Charlie and Jim, for they had never failed him yet. In through the short passage the outlaws took them, and then into the big cave. They paused here long enough to bind the boy's hands and then Chuck Snivel, who was in command, said: "Outside into the hole with him, boys. Tie him to the post until Cap comes. We'll keep the girl here. I reckon we'll collect the toll all right." "It will be a dear toll, too," spoke up the man who had cautioned him not to kill the boy. "Two of us went under, I s'pose you know." "An' no amount of money will bring 'em back ter life," chimed in another. "There'll be a lot more of you go under before you collect your toll!" exclaimed Young Wild West, who had now fully recovered from the surprise he had been treated to. "Just wait!" "That's all right, boy," Chuck Snivel answered, "You know how I feel toward you, I reckon. You don't have no idea that you're ever goin' ter git away from here alive, do yer?" "I haven't the least doubt but that I will," was the calm retort. "Well, jest see how mistaken you'll be. I'm goin' ter be ther one what will kill yer! Do yer understand that?" CHAPTER IX. ARIETTA ATTEMPTS TO ESCAPE. At a word from Snivel Young Wild West was dragged along through the big cave to a place that was almost directly opposite to the entrance.