hey started forward.

"We're rid of him," exclaimed Nora. "I'm not afraid of anyone else. I'll
reach Bitumen and see my father before daylight."

"And save mine," said Elizabeth.

"Elizabeth Hobart, your father is perfectly safe. No doubt, he's home warm
and comfortable in bed, while we, poor mortals, are out in the night,
drenched and forlorn."

They had not gone up the mountain road more than a mile, when the sharp
report of a gun was heard. There was a moment's silence, followed by a
second report.

"Ketchomunoski is sending word of our coming," said Nora. "I begin to feel
that I am of some importance. This is the first time my appearance has
been heralded." Then more seriously, "I would like to know what two shots
mean. Why wasn't one sufficient? Do you know, Jefferies?"

But Jefferies knew nothing. He would not even express an opinion on the
subject. He had no time to give to mere surmises. His work was to keep the
horses moving. This he did, encouraging them with chirrups, or touching
them lightly with the whip.

Though on the mountain road there was no mud, for the steep ascent was
well-drained, it was hard traveling even for strong and swift horses.
Jefferies' heart smote him as he urged them on. He knew the horses he was
driving would be useless for weeks, but if a man's life hung in the
balance, the horses must travel their best, though they drop dead at the
end of the journey.

The road from the foot to the top of the mountain was between three and
four miles long. It had been cut along the side of the hill, and was so
narrow that teams could not pass except at certain places, widened
sufficiently to give 'turning-out' room.

Jefferies had stopped at one of these places to rest his horses. Upon the
instant they reared and would have plunged the carriage backward over the
side, had not their driver retained his presence of mind to speak to them,
leaning over to pat their sweating flanks. After quieting them, he called
out: "Now you fellows attempt to seize the bridle again, and I'll let you
see how close I can shoot to the mark. The horses won't stand strangers
fooling about them. If you've anything to say, come alongside and say it.
But bear in mind, we'll not put up with any funny business. Are you
coming? If you don't, I'll drive on."

"Have you a revolver?" whispered Elizabeth.

"You don't think I would take a drive like this without one, do you?" was
the reply.

At his invitation, dark form