in tubes of the threatening Marlin double barrel.

"Then lie down on your face, quick now!" commanded Jack, who had been
thinking over what ought to be done in case they safely reached this
point; and had made up his mind.

The desperate young bank robber hesitated. No doubt he was considering
whether he might not take Jack off his guard by a sudden shout and a
quick movement. And Jack guessed exactly what was passing through his
mind.

"It wouldn't be safe for you to try it, let me tell you," he remarked,
assuming as much fierceness as he could. "I've got my finger on both
triggers, and this gun goes off mighty easy. You know what would
happen to you then. Roll over on your face, and don't stop to think
twice about it, either!"

As usual Jack had his way. There was something convincing about his
method of argument that even this young desperado could not combat.
And so with muttered angry words the fellow dropped flat on his face.

"Now, stay that way, if you know what's good for you," Jack went on.
"Jimmie!"

"Yep! Sure I'm here, roight side up wid care, Jack, darlint," chirped
the other, temporarily ceasing his tattoo upon the head of his alarmed
victim.

"Get out your cord," continued the leader, steadily. "Make him cross
his wrists behind his back. Then tie them hard together. If he tries
any funny business you know what to do; and do it so that he'll
understand what hits him, too."

"Indade I will that. D'ye hear the captain, mister? Give us your
other paw, and do ye moind, I've me club handy to clip yees acrost the
cranium if so be ye show anny disrespict till the law. Now, aisy
loike, and the job's done. There ye are, and riddy for the nixt
prisoner!"

Jack meanwhile kept the second fellow under his eye. Whenever the
rascal made the least movement, as though tempted to rebel against the
hard fate that had come upon him, a stern word from his captor was
enough to make him cringe again.

So presently Jimmie mounted his back and treated him exactly as he had
done the first victim. When Jack saw the job completed he drew a long
breath of relief. The beads of perspiration stood out on his brow,
such had been the terrible strain under which he had labored while all
this action was taking place.

"Thank goodness, it's done with!" he exclaimed, as he allowed the gun
to drop, and his muscles to relax.

"And now what are we to do wid these beauties, Jack?" asked Jimmie, as
he also arose a