f some kind, I am sure," muttered Lucas
Langley, as he threw a fine steak upon the coals and put some fresh
coffee in the pot.

Andrew Seldon's bath greatly refreshed him, and he ate his breakfast
quietly, after which he said:

"We'll not go gold-hunting to-day, pard, for I have something to tell
you."

"I feel that you have seen some one in the Grand Canyon."

"You are right. I have."

"Are they here to stay?"

"Yes, they think so."

"Who are they?"

"They are masked men, outlaws, belonging, I feel sure, to the
road-agent band I heard of when at W----."

"They go masked in camp?"

"They do."

"How many?"

"There are, I think, nearly a dozen of them."

"Tell me of them, and where they are."

"They are camped in the blue-cliff canyon, near our old home, and are
working the mine we marked as number two on our map."

"They are here for gold, then?"

"Yes, gold-diggers in their idle moments, and at other times
road-agents, making their retreat here, where they deem themselves
safe."

"They did not see you?"

"No, indeed; but I got within fifty feet of one of their camp-fires, and
where they had a captive."

"Ah! a prisoner?"

"Yes."

"Did you know him?"

"It was a young girl."

"The devils!"

"That is what they are, indeed; but let me tell you just what I
discovered, overheard, and saw."

Then Andrew Seldon told the story, and in Lucas Langley he found a most
ready listener.

"Oh, that we could rescue that girl!" said Langley, when he had heard
all.

"To make the attempt would be but to meet with signal failure now,
Lucas."

"I fear so."

"Still, I will see that they are not left long to carry on their work of
deviltry."

"I am with you heart and soul."

"I know that well, pard. But they will return the girl for the ransom
demanded, and then they will get the amount they claim for the young man
they spoke of."

"Yes."

"This will take some days, and in that time I shall act."

"You?"

"Yes, they will lay their plans to kidnap the girl from Last Chance, to
carry out this scheme of the chief to have his third demand come in,
and right there I shall thwart them."

"But how can you?"

"I will start to-night for Fort Faraway."

"Will you go there?"

"Yes."

"You told me that there were reasons why you would not go anywhere among
those who might recognize you."

"It is different now, and necessity demands that I take the risk. I have
changed greatly, for my long hai