d
the approaching horsemen.

Dropping on one knee and firing, then rising and running forward a few
steps, and dropping and firing again, they dashed toward the enemy.
Surprised and confused by this sudden move, the horsemen halted,
irresolute, then turned and fled down the road.

"Buffaloed!" yelled Mead.

"After 'em, boys!" shouted Judge Harlin. And the four started on the
run after the retreating enemy.

"Chase 'em to Plumas!" yelled Nick.

"And learn 'em to let us alone after this!" bellowed Tom, in a voice
that reached the ears of the flying party, above the muffled roar of
their horses' hoofs.

Halliday had got his horse under control again by the time he reached
the place where Colonel Whittaker stood guard, beside the pack horses,
and after a few hasty words with Whittaker he started back. When he
saw the rout of his party he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket
and waving it aloft he came galloping on.

"Look at that, will you!" yelled Nick. "They want to surrender!"

"I reckon they want to have a conference," said Judge Harlin.

The four men halted and stood with their guns in their hands, waiting
Halliday's approach.

"Emerson," he called, "do you stick to what you told Mr. Wellesly?"

"What do you mean?"

"That you'd submit to arrest when we could prove that Will Whittaker
died by violence."

"Certainly, I do."

"Then hand over your guns, for we've got his body!"

"Let me see it first. If I can recognize it I'll keep my word."

"It's back there where his father is."

"Well, bring it here."

"Will you keep the truce?"

"Yes, if you do."

Halliday galloped down the road again, and presently returned with
Colonel Whittaker. Between them was one of the pack horses with
something lashed to its back. They walked their horses to the spot
where the four men stood, untied the pack, spread a blanket on the
ground, and laid on it the ghastly, mangled remains of what had once
been a man's body.

"We found it in the White Sands," Halliday explained. "It had been
buried nearly at the top of the ridge and the coyotes had dug it out
and this is all they had left. But his father here, and every one of
us, have identified it."

Mead and his friends looked the body over carefully. The face had been
gnawed by coyotes and picked by buzzards until not a recognizable
feature was left. The shining white teeth glared from a lipless mouth.
Closely cropped black hair still covered the head. On one hand