"Don't makee no noise," he said. "Misler Wild no git tee outee yet, so be." Then he told them just how things were, and the men agreed to wait with the girls until they received orders from either Charlie on Jim. Hop now clambered up the cliff to find Arietta and Jim. Once at the top he looked around, but could see nothing of them. He quickly made his way over to the other side and cautiously peered over. The outlaws had just brought Wild out of the cave, and on a ledge about twelve feet above him were Arietta and Jim, hiding behind a rock. "Young Wild West," said Cap Roche, as the boy was led out to the post, "are you ready to give your promise that we will not be interfered with?" "I can't give a promise like that until I know for certain that I am to be freed," was the reply. As Wild spoke the words he caught a glimpse of Arietta and Jim on the ledge. But he was so well trained that he did not let the villains know that he had seen anything out of the ordinary. "Tie him to the post, boys," said Roche. "I reckon we've got to figure this thing out right before we do much. I'll see if we need any more in the way of toll." He pulled out the roll Hop had given him, and the men, eager to see the money, did not proceed to tie Wild right away. The moment Roche opened the roll he saw that it was not good money. An oath escaped his lips. "Where is that rascal of a Chinaman?" he demanded. "This isn't money. It is nothing but the rankest kind of counterfeit bills." It was just then that our hero saw his sweetheart getting ready to do something. At the same moment Hop was hurrying to the edge of the cliff on the other side to tell the miners to rush into the cave. The critical moment had arrived. The villains had just finished tying Wild to the post when a lariat whizzed through the air and settled over the head and shoulders of the leader. "Here is the way we are going to pay the toll!" cried Arietta. Up the side of the cliff went the man. The brave girl held a revolver pointed at Snivel, and, in a ringing voice, she added: "Release the prisoner, or your captain will die!" CHAPTER XV. CONCLUSION. Cheyenne Charlie was just thinking of making his way out of the cave when a shout rang out from the opening they had taken Wild through. Out went the men in a hurry, and, hearing Arietta's voice shouting a warning to them, the scout drew his revolvers, and with one in either hand bounded out after the outlaws. One of the first things he saw was the form of Cap Roche hanging from the ledge. The rope had looped him about the body and pinioned his arms at the same time. But the villain was making a desperate struggle and the rope showed signs of slipping. However, not one of the men dared to shoot at the girl or Jim. Cheyenne Charlie stepped up and walked around behind Wild without being noticed by the excited and surprised outlaws. A quick slash with his knife and the ropes were severed.