bullet. It is better to give myself up at once."

"You shall not," and Sam clasped the miner around the waist. "Try the
back door; it will be possible to give them the slip if you hurry."

Brace hesitated a moment as if unwilling to display anything which might
be mistaken for cowardice, and then Fred and Sam literally forced him
toward the door.

"While you run I will attract the attention of the men," Mrs. Byram
said, as she showed herself at the window, and the miner sprang out at
the very instant when half a dozen of the rioters entered the gate.

"Tryin' to give us the slip, eh?" one of the party cried, as all rushed
forward.

It was too late for Brace to return; in a twinkling the men had
surrounded him. Fred and Sam saw a short but sharp struggle, and before
they could so much as make a move toward going to his assistance he was
overpowered.

Attracted by the cries of their companions, those at the front of the
house came around swiftly, and Brace was half carried, half forced into
the street.

Mrs. Byram tried to plead with the mob; but they pushed her aside
without ceremony as they shouted:

"We'll show them at the store how we deal with spies and traitors."

"We've got the rope and the sneak, now we only need two or three of the
bosses to fix the thing up brown."

"Do you suppose they really mean to hang him?" Fred asked in a tone of
awe, and Sam replied sadly:

"I'm afraid they will. Billings always was down on him, and the men are
so excited as to hardly know what they are about, so anything is
possible."

CHAPTER X

THE RESCUE

The capture of Brace seemed to inflame the passions of the mob, and not
even while the buildings were being sacked was the town in such a state
of excitement.

By the time the prisoner had reached the vacant lot in front of the
store it appeared as if every man, woman, and child in the village were
on the street.

Sam and Fred felt impelled to follow the howling, shrieking mob,
although it was not probable they could aid the unfortunate man, and
both pressed as near as possible.

"Billings' gang haven't got possession of the mine yet," Sam whispered.

"How do you know?"

"Because if that had happened we would see Bill Thomas or Donovan around
here somewhere."

"Perhaps they have been made prisoners."

"It isn't likely. Even if they couldn't hold their own it would be
possible to retreat in good order, armed as they were."

"Don't you suppose Mr