the nearest railroad center to this
place is Macon City."

"Direct me how to get there."

The sheriff complied.

Jack had to steer the stage around the hills.

She finally reached the table-land on the other side, and a survey was
made with telescopes.

In the far distance a horseman was seen.

He looked not much bigger than a fly on the distant horizon, and Jack at
once jumped at the conclusion that he might be one of the outlaw gang.

He, therefore, pursued the man.

As he drew near Macon City they were close enough to recognize him as
Jesse James mounted on Siroc.

Not one of the rest of the band were in sight for the simple reason that
they had scattered and gone in different directions to reach the city
singly and in pairs at intervals so as not to excite the suspicion of
the inhabitants.

Jesse had seen the stage long before.

He was riding like the wind.

His fine horse seemed to realize the threatening danger and was
straining every muscle to outstrip the Terror.

It was in vain.

Nearer and nearer drew the stage.

For a moment Jack was tempted to drive the ram into the gallant horse
and thus end the race.

But when he saw what a magnificent beast it was and realized how nobly
it was striving to bear its master out of the reach of his foes the
inventor relented.

He did not have the cruelty of heart to kill it.

All he wanted was the rider.

So he shouted:

"Halt!"

"Only when I'm dead!" yelled Jesse.

"Then I'll shoot you."

"Two can play at that game!"

As the stage rolled up to the horse, Jack and the bandit were aiming
their pistols at each other.

For a moment a deathly silence ensued.

Crack--bang!

The two reports sounded as one.

Jack was unhurt.

But Jesse James flung up his hands and toppled headlong to the ground,
with blood gushing from a wound upon his head, and his face looking like
that of a corpse.

Siroc galloped on, and the Terror paused.

CHAPTER XX.
CONCLUSION.

The moment the bandit king fell from the saddle, Jack sprang to the
ground and rushed over to him.

Planting his foot on the breast of the fallen man and raising his pistol
in the air, Jack shouted:

"Victory!"

"Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!" cheered his friends.

In a moment they were beside the young inventor.

"Did you kill him?" asked Timberlake.

"No it's only a scalp wound," Jack answered.

"Let me handcuff him."

"Your surmise was correct about the gang heading for Macon