ot allow him to face you."

"Suppose some of the gang should overtake us?"

"Put this fellow in front and let them shoot through him if they
choose. Aim to kill or seriously disable if you are attacked, and in
order that there be no lack of ammunition, take one of his revolvers in
addition to your own. By dividing his cartridges we shall each have
enough to stand quite a siege."

"What about sending help to you?"

"I hope the officers from Albany will wait around the depot until you
arrive, when they can decide what is best to be done; but don't make
another mistake as to the identity of those you want to see."

"I reckon I shan't fall into the same kind of a trap for a long while
to come."

"Get something to eat while you are in town, and take a short rest.
Matters won't be very serious here until nightfall."

"I shan't stop long, for it would be a pretty poor sort of a fellow who
couldn't walk twenty miles under these circumstances."

"Do as you choose; you have money enough for all expenses, and it may
be as well to hire a saddle horse to carry me back."

"I'll attend to everything," Jet replied, "and the sooner I leave the
better."

"You are right. Remember what I said about shooting the prisoner if he
shows a disposition to turn rusty, and keep him in front of you."

"I won't forget, sir."

"Then good luck to you."

Harvey held out his hand, Jet grasped it for an instant, and said to
his prisoner:

"Get up now, and go ahead at your best pace. You have heard the advice
given me, and I shall act upon it without hesitation."

Joe looked sullenly around and then obeyed, asking as he set out:

"Which way shall I walk?"

"Straight ahead. I reckon you know the road better than I do."

"That's a fact. There is a short cut after we get down here a bit,
which will save nearly two miles of distance."

"Don't let him guide you," Harvey shouted, he having heard the remark.
"Keep on the course you are familiar with."

"Never fear I'll let him show me anything," Jet replied cheerily, and
he ordered the man to step out more briskly.

During the next ten minutes the two walked at a rapid pace in silence,
and then Joe said without turning his head:

"I suppose you count on making a big pile by taking me to prison?"

"That's where you are mistaken. I'm only trying to square things after
the scrape you got me into."

"Would you like to make five thousand dollars?"

"Of course I would."

"Then u