o Silver Bend," said Wild. "I reckon we'll go through
there when we get done with Forbidden Pass."

"That's right, Wild," Arietta spoke up. "We will need something from the
general store that can't be bought in Big Bonanza."

They all laughed at this, and then, mounting their horses, turned and
rode back into the narrow pass.

The mile to the spot where the secret entrance to the cave had been
discovered by our hero the night before was soon made, and then they
came to a halt.

Wild was just going to dismount to make an examination when a revolver
shot sounded and his hat was knocked off his head.

The next instant fully a dozen came down the rocky side of the pass and
confronted them with drawn revolvers.

"Hands up--everybody!" called out one of them, who was easily recognized
as Chuck Snivel, the cowboy.

Crack--crack!

Charlie fired two shots in quick succession, and then urged the girls to
flee.

Wild saw that nearly all the men were pointing their weapons at him, so
he thought it best to obey the command.

He seemed to be the one they wanted, and he felt that one hostile word
from him would insure his death.

Two of the outlaws had dropped when the scout fired, but the others were
so close upon them that Wild was seized and pulled from his horse in
less than a second, almost.

The young deadshot struck at them with his clenched fists and made it
decidedly unpleasant for them.

But he knew he could not get away, and he was simply doing this to give
his companions a chance.

They all took advantage of it but one, and that was Arietta.

"I reckon you'll pay toll fur coming through Forbidden Pass, Young Wild
West!" one of the villains exclaimed. "Hold him tight, boys! I'm glad
yer didn't kill him when that shot was fired at him. I told Chuck not
ter do it. Ther captain wants him alive. Git ther gal, too! This is what
I call collectin' toll, all right!"

Arietta's horse had been seized by the bit, and a ruffianly fellow stood
holding him with one hand, while his other held a revolver that was
pointed at the girl's breast.

The rest of the party had succeeded in getting around a bend, but Wild
knew they would not go very far.

But before they had time to get back and do anything both he and Arietta
were dragged up close to what seemed to be the rocky wall of the cliff.

Then the curtain rolled up, and in they went, the outlaws following with
those who had fallen and the horses.

It was all don