aid Herbert, puzzled; "I didn't think of that."

"I would quite as soon stand my chance of being robbed in the stage, as
be attacked here. Besides, I cannot make up my mind to desert my fellow
passengers. It seems cowardly to send them off to be plundered without
giving them a hint of their danger."

"Couldn't we do that?"

"The result would be that they would not go, and there is no knowing how
long we should be compelled to remain in this secluded spot."

"Mr. Melville," said Herbert, suddenly, "a thought has just struck me."

"I hope it may show us a way out of our danger."

"No, I am sorry to say that it won't do that."

"What is it, Herbert?"

"You remember that mention was made yesterday in the stage of a certain
famous bandit named Jerry Lane?"

"Yes, I remember."

"Do you think it is possible that he and Col. Warner may be one and the
same?"

"That is certainly a startling suggestion, Herbert. What reason have you
for thinking so?"

"It was only a guess on my part; but you remember that the colonel said
he was a man about his size."

"That might be."

"And he did not confine himself to the Western country, but might be met
with in New York, or St. Louis. We met the colonel in Chicago."

"It may be as you surmise, Herbert," said George Melville, after a
pause. "It did occur to me that our worthy landlord might be the famous
outlaw in question, but the description to which you refer seems to fit
the colonel better. There is one thing, however, that makes me a little
incredulous."

"What is that, Mr. Melville?"

"This Jerry Lane I take to be cool and courageous, while the colonel
appears to be more of a boaster. He looks like one who can talk better
than he can act. If I had ever seen a description of his appearance, I
could judge better."

The two had been walking slowly and thoughtfully, when they were
startled by a rough voice.

"You're out early, strangers?"

Turning swiftly, they saw the dark, forbidding face of the landlord, who
had approached them unobserved.

"Did he hear anything?" thought Herbert, anxiously.

"Yes, we are taking a little walk," said Melville, pleasantly.

"Breakfast will be ready soon. You'd better be back soon, if you're
goin' by the stage this morning. You are goin', I reckon?" said the
landlord, eyeing them sharply.

"We intend to do so," said Melville. "We will walk a little farther, and
then return to the house."

The landlord turned and retraced his