e.

In less than ten minutes she reached the crest of the elevation where
they had seen the bandit.

From this point a view was commanded of the country for many miles in
various directions.

Jack soon saw the outlaw.

He had gone down the valley, and was furiously galloping toward the
rocky, well wooded foothills on the other side of the depression, and
Jack exclaimed:

"He is well aware of our weakest point."

"Vot veak point?" growled Fritz unwilling to admit such a thing.

"Our inability to run among rocks and close setting trees and bushes.

"It looks mighty like as if he wuz atryin' ter git inter sich a spot."

"You an right, Tim. But he has lost a mile though."

Down the declivity shot the stage, and she swiftly reduced the distance
that separated her from the fugitive.

As the flying horseman went up the hill on the other side of the valley,
he glanced back over his shoulder and saw that the Terror had arrived
within a mile.

Fast as Jim Malone was on a level stretch, he could not race up the
steep grade of a hill with anything like the speed at which the Terror
went.

In consequence, long before the bandit reached the plateau he was
heading for, the engine was close behind him.

Jack sat outside steering.

He did not have on his armor.

Frank suddenly paused.

Wheeling his horse around he raised his rifle.

Crack--bang!

It was a good shot.

The bullet struck the stage within an inch of Jack's head.

Frank dared not remain to attempt it again as every second was precious
now.

He therefore dashed away again.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang! came three shots.

Tim, Fritz and the sheriff had fired.

Exploding around Frank the awful bullets tore up the ground, chipped the
rocks, trees and bushes and stung the horse, but failed to injure the
rider.

The bandit reached the shelter of the rocks and trees on the plateau
before any of the bullets hit him.

He then disappeared.

Along thundered the electric stage.

She had a hard climb, but her dynamo and motor were very powerful, and
carried her up to the level ground.

There she got on Frank's trail again.

The plateau was a picturesque place, as it was covered with flowers,
tumbled rocks, vine-clad trees, and dense shrubbery.

A plain track through it was seen.

"We'll reach him in a few moments!" muttered Jack.

He cast his glance ahead, and as the ground gently sloped down from
there, he saw the outlaw.

And he also saw a w