. They all were men with some sparks of
manliness and spirit left in their bodies. But you, bah!"

He motioned to Sconda, who at once cut the bonds, and Curly fell
forward at Weston's feet.

"Get up," the latter ordered, "and never let me catch you again on this
side of the Golden Crest. The Indians will deal with you now. After
that, they will dump you beyond the pass, and the sooner you hit the
trail for Big Draw the better it will be for you. Thank your stars,
Curly Inkles, that you have escaped this time."

There was much suppressed excitement in Glen West that night, for many
had heard the shrieks of terror from the Valley of the Ordeal. But no
one dared to question the four and twenty men who later that evening
crowded into the store where they received a liberal supply of tobacco
ordered by their Big White Chief. They were men who could be trusted,
and they well knew how to keep a secret.

CHAPTER XVII

MAN TO MAN

Reynolds learned from Klota of Weston's return home, and he was anxious
to meet the man who ruled Glen West, and was so greatly feared by the
miners throughout the country. He could not believe that the father of
such a girl as Glen could be the monster he had been depicted. He
wished to see and learn for himself what the man was really like, and
he hoped that he would be sent for at once to give an account of
himself. Nothing, however, happened that evening, and he saw no more
of Glen.

He was seated near the house when Curly was dragged by on his way to
the Valley of the Ordeal. Although the shadows of evening were heavy,
Reynolds realised who the victim was, and that he was being taken away
for punishment, of what nature he could not tell. Going into the
house, he questioned Klota, but received no satisfaction. The woman
merely shook her head, and refused to give any information. This both
puzzled and worried him. There was some mystery connected with this
affair, and he made up his mind to find out what it was.

Hurrying down the street and past the store, he was almost to the edge
of the thicket, when several natives barred his way, and sternly
ordered him to go back. There was nothing he could do, so he was
reluctantly obliged to obey. He returned to the store, and standing
outside listened intently in an effort to learn whatever he could.
Neither did he have long to wait, for presently up from the gloomy
thicket rose the blood-curdling yells of someone in distres