e so quickly that our hero found himself in the darkness
before he fairly realized what had happened.

Arietta uttered a scream as she was hurried into the mouth of the hidden
cave, but a hand was quickly placed over her mouth, and that ended any
further chance to let Charlie and the rest know where they were being
carried.

Wild's weapons were taken from him while he was being dragged into the
cave, and it was a very rough handling that he received.

But he knew how useless it was, so he did no further struggling.

The fact that the rest had succeeded in getting away was a little
consolation, for that meant that they would come back and effect a
rescue.

Our hero placed the utmost dependence on Charlie and Jim, for they had
never failed him yet.

In through the short passage the outlaws took them, and then into the
big cave.

They paused here long enough to bind the boy's hands and then Chuck
Snivel, who was in command, said:

"Outside into the hole with him, boys. Tie him to the post until Cap
comes. We'll keep the girl here. I reckon we'll collect the toll all
right."

"It will be a dear toll, too," spoke up the man who had cautioned him
not to kill the boy. "Two of us went under, I s'pose you know."

"An' no amount of money will bring 'em back ter life," chimed in
another.

"There'll be a lot more of you go under before you collect your toll!"
exclaimed Young Wild West, who had now fully recovered from the surprise
he had been treated to. "Just wait!"

"That's all right, boy," Chuck Snivel answered, "You know how I feel
toward you, I reckon. You don't have no idea that you're ever goin' ter
git away from here alive, do yer?"

"I haven't the least doubt but that I will," was the calm retort.

"Well, jest see how mistaken you'll be. I'm goin' ter be ther one what
will kill yer! Do yer understand that?"

CHAPTER IX.

ARIETTA ATTEMPTS TO ESCAPE.

At a word from Snivel Young Wild West was dragged along through the big
cave to a place that was almost directly opposite to the entrance.

The light that was admitted through the cracks in the front was
sufficient for our hero to see that it was another passage that he was
being taken to.

He had heard the villain in command of the men say that he was to be
taken outside and put in the hole until the leader came, but just what
that meant he did not know.

He was destined to find out very soon, however, for the passage did not
extend many feet.