attention. Even the Mexican
was listening. Dick's cue was to scare them, or at least to have some
fun at their expense.

"They've passed it," I replied. "Fellows like Buell will go to the
penitentiary for life. His men'll get twenty years on bread and water.
No whiskey! Serves 'em right."

"What'll the President do when he learns these men kidnapped you?"

"Do? He'll have the whole forest service out here and the National
Guard. He's a friend of my father's. Why, these kidnappers will be
hanged!"

"I wish the Guard would come quick. Too bad you couldn't have sent word!
I'd enjoy seeing Greaser swing. Say, he hasn't a ghost of a chance, with
the President and Jim Williams after him."

"Dick, I want the rings in Greaser's ears."

"What for? They're only brass."

"Souvenirs. Maybe I'll have watch-charms made of them. Anyway, I can
show them to my friends back East."

"It'll be great--what you'll have to tell," went on Dick. "It'll be
funny, too."

Greaser had begun to snarl viciously, and Herky and Bill looked glum and
thoughtful. The arrival of Bud interrupted the conversation and put an
end to our playful mood. We heard a little of what he told his comrades,
and gathered that Jim Williams had met Stockton and had asked questions
hard to answer. Dick flashed me a significant look, which was as much
as to say that Jim was growing suspicious. Bud had brought a store of
whiskey, and his companions now kept closer company with him than ever
before. But from appearances they did not get all they wanted.

"We've got to move this here camp," said Bud.

Bud and Bill and Herky walked off down the gorge. Perhaps they really
went to find another place for the camp, for the present spot was
certainly a kind of trap. But from the looks of Greaser I guessed that
they were leaving him to keep guard while they went off to drink by
themselves. Greaser muttered and snarled. As the moments passed his face
grew sullen.

All at once he came toward me. He bound my hands and my feet. Dick was
already securely tied, but Greaser put another lasso on him. Then he
slouched down the gorge. His high-peaked Mexican sombrero bobbed above
the rocks, then disappeared.

"Ken, now's the chance," said Dick, low and quick. "If you can only work
loose! There's your rifle and mine, too. We could hold this fort for a
month."

"What can I do?" I asked, straining on my ropes.

"You're not fast to the rock, as I am. Rollover here and untie me