long time,
and only hired with the old man as a cover to hide his real business,
and to try and win the girl, whom he had frequently seen before.

"The old man was all broke up about the girl, but he was glad that
things had happened as they did, and he felt sure that after her grief
was over, she would not fail to see the danger she had escaped, and to
thank her father for savin' her from a life of shame and disgrace.

"We lifted the girl into the coach, and put the dead man along with the
others on the top. He had been the terror of the neighborhood, although
no one knew, until this time, who had been the leader of this murderous
gang. We buried him at Bozeman, and since that time we have had no
trouble with anything like bandits or robbers along the route."

"What became of the other two?" asked the detective.

"They were put under arrest, but somehow they managed to escape before
they were brought to trial, and that was the last we ever heard of
them."

"And the girl," asked Manning, "what became of her?"

"Oh, she is all right now; as pert as a cricket, and prettier than
ever," answered the driver. "She was married some time ago to a young
fellow who is the sheriff of the county here, and is as happy as the day
is long. You wouldn't know that she ever had an experience like this,
and I don't believe she ever thinks of her bandit lover, while she hangs
around her old father with all the affection of a child, and the old
ranchman is as happy and contented a man as you will find in the whole
county."

As the driver concluded his narrative, the stage rolled into Bozeman,
and at sharp midnight they drew up before the door of the inn. The moon
was still shining, and lights were flashing from the windows when they
arrived. Tired and hungry, the passengers alighted, and after a light
lunch, Manning procured a bed and retired to rest.

CHAPTER XXI.

False Information which Nearly Proves Fatal--A Night Ride to
Helena--Dangers by the Wayside.

Traveling by coach is far from being as comfortable and pleasant as a
journey by rail. The time occupied in going comparatively short
distances is very great, besides the rough jolting over uneven roads
which is a natural concomitant of stage coach travel. It is true that by
the easy locomotion of a journey of this kind, a much better view of the
surrounding country is afforded, and the traveler finds ample
opportunities to admire the beauty of nature everywhere spre