they could not get hold of
the giant they would undoubtedly seek to make him expiate the offenses
of Achilles Henderson as well as his own.

"If only Mr. Henderson knew where I was," he said to himself, "I should
soon be free."

But there seemed little hope of this. He had not told any one that he
intended to retire to the circus cars earlier than usual. The chances
were that he would not be missed till the circus company had reached the
next town on their route, ten miles away. Then there would be no clew to
his whereabouts, and even if there were he might be killed before any
help could come to him. So far as he had been able to observe, the
miners were--a portion of them, at least--a lawless set of men, who were
not likely to be influenced by considerations of pity or ordinary
humanity.

Kit had been very religiously brought up during his father's life, at
least, and he had not lost his faith in an overruling Providence. So in
this great peril it was natural for him to pray to God for deliverance
from danger. When his prayer was concluded, he felt easier, and in spite
of his disagreeable surroundings he managed to fall asleep.

Meanwhile the circus performance terminated, and preparations were
commenced for the journey to the next town. The canvas men swarmed
around the tents and swiftly took them down and conveyed them to the
freight cars, where they assisted the razorbacks to pack them in small
compass.

Harry Thorne, who had his berth next to Kit, turned in rather late. He
looked into Kit's bed, and to his surprise found it unoccupied.

"What can have become of the boy?" he asked himself.

He went outside, and espying Achilles Henderson, he said: "Have you seen
anything of Kit Watson?"

"Isn't he in his berth?" asked Mr. Henderson, surprised.

"No."

Inquiry developed the fact that Kit had not been seen by any one since
the conclusion of his act.

"I am afraid the boy has come to harm," said Achilles. "This is a rough
place, and there are plenty of tough characters about, as our experience
this afternoon showed."

"What shall we do? The cars will soon be starting, and we must leave him
behind."

"If he doesn't show up before that time, I will stay behind and hunt him
up. He is too good a boy to be left to his fate."

CHAPTER XXVII.

A MINER'S CABIN.

Kit's principal captor was known as Dick Hayden. He was an Englishman,
and a leader in every kind of mischief. If there was any disturb