ve done heretofore. I can
fight a dozen enemies face to face better than one or two lurking in
the bushes."

The elder Filmore uttered a savage curse.

"You triumph _now!_" he growled, biting his nether lip in vexation;
"but it will not always be thus."

"Eh? think not? I think I shall have to _adopt_ you for awhile. Boys,
haul down the two, and bind them securely."

Accordingly, a rush was made upon the stage, and the two outside
passengers. Down they were hauled, head over heels, and quickly
secured by strong cords about the wrists and ankles.

This done, Deadwood Dick turned to Bill McGucken, who had ventured to
clamber to the seat of the coach.

"Drive on, you cowardly lout--drive on. We've done with you for the
present. But, remember, not a word of this to the population of
Deadwood, if you intend to ever make another trip over this route.
Now, go!"

Jehu needed not the second invitation. He never was tardy in getting
out of the way of danger: so he picked up the reins, gave an extra
hard crack of the long whip, and away rolled the jolting stage through
the black canyon, disappearing a moment later around the bend, beyond
which lay Deadwood--magic city of the wilderness.

Then, out from the thicket the road-agents led their horses; the two
prisoners were secured in the saddles in front of two brawny outlaws,
and without delay the cavalcade moved down the gorge, weirdly
illuminated by the mellow rays of the soaring moon.

* * * * *

Clarence Filmore had hoped that the report of his pistol-shots would
reach Deadwood. If so, his wishes were fulfilled. The reports reached
the barracks above Deadwood just as a horseman galloped up the
hill--Major R----, just in from a carouse down at the "Met."

"Halloo!" he shouted, loudly. "To horse! there is trouble in the
gorge. The Sioux, under Sitting Bull, are upon us!"

As the major's word was law at the barracks, in very short order the
garrison was aroused, and headed by the major in person, a cavalcade
of sleepy soldiers swept down the gorge toward the place whence had
come the firing.

Wildly around the abrupt bend they dashed with yells of anticipated
victory: then there was a frightful collision between the incoming
stage and the outgoing cavalry; the shrieks and screams of horses, the
curses and yells of wounded men; and a general pandemonium ensued.

The coach, passengers, horses and all was upset, and went rolling down
a