g 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.

Then he slipped a revolver in the boy's hand.

Wild coolly stepped from the post.

"Up with your hands, you sneaking coyotes!" he cried in a ringing voice.
"I reckon ther jig is up now. Arietta has paid ther toll!"

Then Wild calmly reached out and took another revolver from the belt of
the nearest man to him.

Two of the villains held up their hands, but the rest made a bolt for
the cave.

Crack!

Cheyenne Charlie got at work, as usual, and the foremost one dropped.

"I reckon you galoots will have ter have a bigger grave dug when we git
through with yer," he called out. "That one you've got here ain't half
big enough!"

Just then Cap Roche slipped the rope, and down he came in a heap.

Before he could get upon his feet our hero stood over him.

"Surrender!" he cried. "It is the easiest way out of it. If you fight it
out there won't be one man left of you, Roche!"

"I'll never surrender!" was the defiant shout. "Go ahead and shoot me,
if you want to. I am going to die fighting."

He rolled over and got upon his feet, regardless of the fact that the
finger of the young deadshot was upon the trigger of the revolver that
was aimed at him.

Roche had lost his revolvers when he tumbled down, but he still hold his
knife.

Jerking it from the sheath, he prepared to make a rush at the boy, who
stood covering him with a revolver.

Just then several shots rang out from inside the cave, following by
yells of triumph.

Arietta now slid down by means of the lariat Jim had hold of.

Then Jim dropped the distance himself.

Out of the cave came the miners, dragging the prisoners they had taken
with them.

Roche turned deathly pale when he saw that it was all up with him.

"Young Wild West,"