"It has a bad look,--worse than I thought when he come back."

"Why so?"

"I take it with the action of that dog. You didn't fail to notice that
Timon took us along the exact route that Vose was leadin' us over and
we found out that it was the wrong one."

"And you believe he purposely misled us?"

"It's almost sartin."

"Suppose it _was_ certain, Wade?"

"I'd shoot him quicker'n lightning."

"So would I."

"But you see we can't be sartin just yit; if Vose is in that kind of
bus'ness, he'll give himself away purty soon."

"I agree with you and we'll watch him."

Thus was the momentous bargain made.

When the four came together once more, the parson remarked:

"It's my belief that after we were well out of the way, the two went
down the gorge to the main trail and are now making haste to
Sacramento."

The exact line of action that had been agreed upon! Vose Adams was
firmly convinced that this was the very thing that had taken place and
the utmost he could do was to prevent the horsemen from acting on that
theory until the fugitives were given opportunity to pass beyond
reach.

Except for the words of Captain Dawson, the guide would have striven
to delay the pursuit, but he dared not attempt it after the warning.
Ignoring the captain, he said to Felix Brush:

"It's more'n likely you're right, parson; that would have been the
most nat'ral thing for them to do and it's no use of our standing here
and talking, when every minute counts."

"We can quickly learn the truth; it isn't far to the gorge, where they
must have left traces; leave the horses here, for we can soon return
for them if it proves necessary."

Forgetting their fatigue, the four walked back over their own trail.
The forenoon was well advanced, and, by this time, the fugitives were
probably a good way off. Adams was relieved because of this action,
for it promised more delay.

Reaching the beginning of the gorge, all began an examination of the
ground, for the imprints of the horses' feet were plainly seen. To the
amazement of every one, each hoof pointed upward, that is away from
the canyon. There was no evidence that any quadruped had descended the
slope. All had gone up. Vose Adams was in despair.

"They have let their only chance go by," he bitterly reflected; "it's
too late now to save them!"

CHAPTER XXVI

AT BAY

Lieutenant Russell held a long consultation with Nellie Dawson, after
the departure of Vose Adams. Hi