man, laying his hand on Tom Collins's shoulder. Tom gave
him a look that induced him to remove the hand.

"Right again," rejoined Ned, with a smile. "I know where the villains
are, and I'll lead you to them in an hour, if you choose to follow me."

The men looked at each other in surprise.

"You'll not object to some o' us ridin' before, an' some behind ye!"
said the second speaker, "jist by way o' preventin' yer hosses from
runnin' away; they looks a little skeary."

"By no means," answered Ned, "lead on; but keep off the edge of the
track till I call a halt."

"Why so, stranger?"

"Never mind, but do as I bid you."

The tone in which this was said effectually silenced the man, and during
the ride no further questions were asked. About a quarter-of-an-hour
afterwards the moon rose, and they advanced at such a rapid pace that in
a short time they were close upon the spot where the battle had taken
place. Just before reaching it Ned called a halt, and directed the
party to dismount and follow him on foot. Although a good deal
surprised, they obeyed without question; for our hero possessed, in an
eminent degree, the power of constituting himself a leader among those
with whom he chanced to come into contact.

Fastening his horse to a tree, Ned led the men forward a hundred yards.

"Are these the men you search for!" he inquired.

"They are, sir," exclaimed one of the party, in surprise, as he stooped
to examine the features of the robbers, who lay where they had been
left.

"Halloo!" exclaimed Tom Collins, "I say, the biggest fellow's gone!
Didn't we lay him hereabouts?"

"Eh! dear me, yes; why, this is the very spot, I do believe--"

All further remarks were checked at that moment by the sound of horses'
hoofs approaching, and, almost before any one could turn round, a
horseman came thundering down the pass at full gallop. Uttering a
savage laugh of derision, he discharged his pistol full into the centre
of the knot of men as he passed, and, in another moment, was out of
sight. Several of the onlookers had presence of mind enough to draw
their pistols and fire at the retreating figure, but apparently without
effect.

"It's him!" cried Tom Collins; "and he's mounted on your horse, Ned."

"After him, lads!" shouted Ned, as he ran back towards the place where
the horses were fastened. "Whose is the best horse?"

"Hold on, stranger," said one of the men, as he ran up to Ned, "ye may
save yer wind