ad fellow, believe me. I want Loraine to be happy. As for this
promise to him, I'll talk that over with her--if God permits me to see
her again I shall allow her to choose, King. You or Vos Engo--the one
she loves, that's all. As for seconding you, I am at your service."

King beamed. "That means, I take it, that you want me to win at least
one of the contests. Well," with his whimsical, irresistible smile, "it
won't be necessary to try for the other if Vos Engo shoots me in this
one."

"You will never know the extent of my gratitude, King. You have saved
her from a hellish fate. I shall be disappointed in her if she does not
choose you. I owe you a debt of gratitude almost as great for saving
that dear little boy of--ours. I shall not forget what you have
done--never!"

Early in the afternoon the force under Captain Haas was divided into
three companies, for strategic purposes. The plan to surprise and defeat
the skulkers in the ravine had been carefully thought out. Two strong
companies struck off into the hills; the third and weakest of the trio
kept the road, apparently marching straight into the trap. Signals had
been arranged. At a given sign the three parties were to swoop down upon
the position held by the enemy.

Several hours passed. The troop in the highroad prepared to camp just
below the treacherous pass in which the ambush was known to be laid.
Scouts had located the confident rascals in the ravines above the
highway. With the news that their prey was approaching, they were being
rapidly rushed into position at the head of the pass.

Shortly before sunset the troop in the road began to advance, riding
resolutely into the ravine. Even as the gloating, excited desperadoes
prepared to open fire from their hidden position at the head of the
pass, their pickets came running in with the word that two large forces
were drawing in on them from the north and east.

The trappers were trapped. They realised that they had been
out-generalled, and they understood their deficiencies. Not a man among
them knew the finer points of warfare. They were thugs and roustabouts
and ill-omened fellows who could stab in the back; they were craven in
the face of an open peril.

There were few shots fired. The men in ambuscade tried to escape to the
fastnesses of the hills. Some of them stood ground and fought, only to
be mown down by the enemy; others were surrounded and made captive; but
few actually succeeded in evading t