uch reason to suspect
one man as another, and each, with the exception of Melville, found
himself looked upon with distrust.

"Pooh, Melville! You must have had bad dreams!" said Col. Warner, who
was the first to recover his self-possession. "Really, I give you credit
for a first-class sensation. As for you, gentlemen, you may take stock
in this cock-and-bull story, if you like; I shall not. I, for one, have
no fear of my fellow passengers. I regard them all as gentlemen, and
shall not allow myself to be disturbed by any silly fears."

The air of calm composure with which the Colonel spoke served to
tranquilize the rest of the passengers, who wished to put credit in his
assurance.

"The Colonel speaks sensibly," said Mr. Parker, "and unless Mr. Melville
assigns a reason for his remarkable belief, I am disposed to think we
have taken alarm too quick."

"Of course, of course; all sensible men will think so," said the
Colonel. "My friend, we shall be tempted to laugh at you if you insist
on entertaining us with such hobgoblin fancies. My advice is, to put up
that weapon of yours, and turn your attention to the scenery, which
I can assure you, gentlemen, is well worthy of your admiration. Just
observe the walls of yonder canyon, and the trees growing on the
points."

"Gentlemen," said Melville, "I should be glad to take the view of the
last speaker, if I had not positive proof that he is the man who has
agreed to deliver us into the hands of a road agent within the space of
half an I hour!"

"Sir, you shall answer for this!" exclaimed the Colonel, furiously, as
he struggled to secure the weapon, his face livid with passion.

But two passengers, one the German, who, though short, was very
powerful, forcibly prevented him.

CHAPTER XXVI. A COUNCIL OF WAR.

"Are you sure of what you say?" asked a passenger, turning with a
puzzled look from George Melville, who, in the midst of the general
excitement produced by his revelation, sat, not unmoved indeed, but
comparatively calm. Courage and physical strength are by no means
inseparable, and this frail young man, whose strength probably was not
equal to Herbert's, was fearless in the face of peril which would daunt
many a stalwart six-footer.

In reply to this very natural question, George Melville repeated the
essential parts of the conversation which had taken place between Col.
Warner and the landlord.

Col. Warner's countenance changed, and he inwardly