nd whom both had seen
on the day of their arrival in this neighborhood.

Roswell Palmer now displayed a quickness of wit that would have done
credit to an older head. His revolver he had placed in a pocket on the
side of him that was turned away from the man, and it will be
remembered that the lad had placed it there before receiving the
peremptory summons to surrender. In the hope that his captor was not
aware that he carried any firearms, Roswell kept that part of his body
farthest from him.

The man was standing at the side of the rock with a similar weapon in
his grasp, and showed that he was elated over the clever manner in
which he had gotten the best of the youth. His own weapon was not
pointed at him, but held so that it could be raised and used on the
instant.

"What do you mean by treating me thus when I am walking peaceably
through the mountains, offering harm to no one?" asked Roswell with an
injured air.

"What are you doing here anyway?" demanded the other, whose unpleasant
face indicated that he did not fully grasp the situation.

"My friend and I set out to look for some men that have stolen our
gold. Have you seen them?"

This sounded as if the boy had no suspicion of the fellow before him,
and taking his cue therefrom, he said:

"No; I don't know anything about it. Did they jump your claim?"

"We had the gold among the rocks where we live, but when we came home
to-day, we found that some persons had been there and taken it all."

Something seemed to strike the man as very amusing. He broke into
laughter.

"You can put down your hands, my son, if you're getting tired."

"You won't shoot?" asked Roswell in pretended alarm.

"Not much," replied the other, with a laugh; "I haven't a charge in my
weapon nor a single cartridge with me; but all the same, I'll keep an
eye on you."

"Not doubting your word, I have to inform you that my pistol is loaded,
and I now shall take charge of you."

As he spoke, Roswell produced his weapon, and the other was at his
mercy.

CHAPTER XXII.

A LION IN THE PATH.

To put it mildly, the man was astonished. Not dreaming the boy was
armed, he had been foolish enough to announce that he had brought him
to terms by the display of a useless weapon. He stared in amazement at
Roswell, and then elevated both hands. The boy laughed.

"You needn't do that; I am not afraid of you. If you will lead me to
the spot where you and Hardman hid our gold, I will