ression fell from
his dark magnetic orbs.

There they stood, face to face, a picture of doubt; of indifferent
respect, of opposite strong passions, subdued to control by a heavy
hand.

None of the others noticed them; they were alone, confronting each
other; trying to read the other's thoughts; the one penitent and
craving forgiveness, the other cold almost to sternness, and yet not
unwilling to forgive and forget.

Deadwood Dick's wound was quickly and skillfully dressed; it was not
dangerous, but was so exceedingly painful that the pangs soon brought
him back to consciousness.

The moment he opened his eyes he saw Fearless Frank and
Anita--perceived their position toward each other, and that it would
require only a single word to bridge the chasm between them. A hard
look came into his eyes as they gazed through the holes in the mask,
then he gazed at Alice--sweet piquant Alice--and the hardness melted
like snow before the spring sunshine.

"Thank God it was no deeper," he said, sitting upright, and rubbing
the tips of his black-glove fingers over the patches that covered the
gash, "Although deucedly bothersome, it is not of much account."

To the surprise of all he sprung to his feet, and strode to the door.
Here he stopped, and looked around for a few moments, sniffing at the
cool mountain breeze, as a dog would. A single cedar tree stood by the
cabin, its branches, bare and naked, stretching out like huge arms
above the doorway. And it was at these the road-agent gazed, a savage
gleam in his piercing black eyes.

After a few careful observations, he turned his face within the cabin.

"Justin McKenzie," he said, gazing at the young man, steadily, "I want
you to do me a service. Go to my camp, and say to my men that I desire
their presence here, together with the two prisoners, and a couple of
stout lariats, with nooses at the end of them. Hurry, now!"

Fearless Frank started a trifle, for he seemed to recognize the voice;
but the next instant he bowed assent, and left the cabin. When he was
gone, Dick turned to Redburn.

"Have you a glass of water handy, Cap? This jab in the gullet makes me
somewhat thirsty," he said.

Redburn nodded, and procured the drink; then a strange silence
pervaded the cabin--a silence that no one seemed willing to break.

At last the tramp of many feet was heard, and a moment later the
road-agents, with Fearless Frank at their head, reached the doorway,
where they halted. Th