ally concealed the natural hollow which he had
deepened, and the overhanging mass of the rugged cliff protected it from
rain and dew.

What Hunky Ben saw on looking through his peep-hole filled him with
surprise and pity, and compelled him to modify his plans.

Almost below him on a brush couch, lay the tall form of Buck Tom, with
the unmistakable hue of approaching death upon his countenance. Beside
him, holding his head, kneeled the much-wasted figure of Leather--the
reputed outlaw. Seated or standing around in solemn silence were six of
the outlaws, most of whom bore tokens of the recent fight, in the form
of bandage on head or limb.

"I brought you to this, Leather; God forgive me," said the dying man
faintly.

"No, you didn't, Ralph," replied the other, calling him by his old
familiar name, "I brought myself to it. Don't blame yourself, Ralph;
you weren't half so bad as me. You'd never have been here but for me.
Come, Ralph, try to cheer up a bit; you're not dying. It's only faint
you are, from loss of blood and the long gallop. When you've had a
sleep and some food, you'll feel stronger. We'll fetch a doctor soon,
an' he'll get hold o' the bullet. Dear Ralph, don't shake your head
like that an' look so solemn. Cheer up, old boy!"

Leather spoke with a sort of desperate fervour, but Ralph could not
cheer up.

"No," he said sadly, "there is no cheer for me. I've thrown my life
away. There's no hope--no mercy for me. I've been trying to recall the
past, an' what mother used to teach me, but it won't come. There's only
one text in all the Bible that comes to me now. It's this--`Be sure
your sin will find you out!' That's true, boys," he said, turning a
look on his comrades. "Whatever else may be false, _that's_ true, for I
_know_ it."

"That's so, dear Ralph," said Leather earnestly, "but it's no less true
that--"

Just then a noise was heard in the outer passage; then hurrying
footsteps. Instinctively every man drew his revolver and faced the
door. Next moment Jake entered.

"Here, one of you; a drink--I'm fit to--ha!"

His eyes fell on the figure of Buck and he shrank back for a moment in
silent surprise.

"Yes, Jake," said the dying man, with a glance of pity not unmingled
with scorn, "it has come sooner than you or I expected, and it will save
you some trouble--maybe some regret. I've seen through your little
game, Jake, and am glad I've been spared the necessity of thwarting
you