theft, and pouring
out invectives on the "villain of a thief" in no measured quantity, the two
ruffians, Bill and Dick, set out on their errand of death? Learning that
Hadley had started the previous afternoon, they followed after him on two
of the fleetest horses in the possession of the clan.

It might be well enough to remark, that in those early days most of the
traveling was done on foot or on horseback.

CHAPTER IX.

On the evening of the second day of their pursuit, Dick and Bill found
themselves in the immediate presence of their victim, they having reached
the same inn at which he had already put up for the night. The meeting was
unexpected to them, and at first they feared it might frustrate their
designs; but as they had taken the precaution to throw off their usual
habiliments and character, and to assume the dress and address of
gentlemen, Hadley did not recognize them, though the impression fastened
itself on his mind, that he must have seen them and heard their voices
before, but where and when he could not remember.

The villains, from his musing manner, half suspected that he was trying to
call to mind who they were, and one remarked to the other that they had
better go out and see after their horses; but it was more for the purpose
of consulting about the affair they had in hand than for the good of their
beasts, that they wished to leave the house. When assured that they were
beyond hearing distance, said Bill to Dick:

"Well, we have treed the game at any rate."

"Yes, but I don't see as it signifies much if we have, for we can't keep
him treed, nor bring him down neither, in this place."

"But we know where he is, and that is something."

"I take it, it's but little. What can we do with him?"

"Why, we can get ahead of him and select our place for the next meeting,
and then--"

"How do you know that? We can't tell which road he will take."

"We'll find out, though."

"How?"

"By asking him."

"And exciting his suspicions. Yes, a pretty way of doing, certain."

"Never do you mind; leave that to me; and if we don't know all we want to
know by morning, you may call Bill Mitchel a fool; and the fellow won't
suspect anything, either."

"Well, go ahead, but don't make a fool of yourself, nor spoil the job we
have in hand, neither."

"I'll take care for that; only you be cautious, and don't say too much, and
when you do speak, throw off your rough manners and talk and act like