n an attack can be made upon the passengers, while I and
several others get into the express car after the keg of money."

A plan of operations was then agreed upon.

When they finished, Jack whispered to the sheriff:

"There are three things we can now do. One is to attack the bandits
here; the next is to notify the railroad people to look out for them;
and the last is to let them attempt to carry out their plan and raid
them in the act. Now, what shall we do?"

Timberlake pondered.

He wanted to avoid making any mistake.

Finally he muttered:

"If we were to run away to the railroad to apprise the company,
something might happen that would delay us. Then the villains could
carry out their purpose anyway. We can't do that. Now if we tackle them
here, some of them are apt to give us the slip, an' do the job in spite
of us. I think it will be safer to let them go to the rendezvous, and
try to stop the cars. Then we can sail into them, and frustrate their
plans."

"I quite agree with you," said Jack.

"Then let us return to the Terror."

Creeping silently away, they were getting safely out of the hollow, when
suddenly a sentry came along, and almost stumbled over them.

"Hello!" he roared. "Who goes there?"

"Caught!" gasped the sheriff bounding to his feet.

"Timberlake!" groaned the man, recognizing him. "Hey! Help! Help!"

He yelled furiously.

The sheriff sprang at him like a tiger.

"Shut up!" he hissed, grappling the bandit.

"A spy! A spy!" howled the guard, wildly.

He clung to the sheriff with all his might, and they fell struggling to
the ground, locked in a tight embrace.

Jack was startled.

He heard the gang rushing toward them.

"Can you manage him?" he panted.

"Yes--run!" replied the sheriff.

Thinking he might have to call his friends to help, Jack slipped away
unseen, and Timberlake might have gained the mastery of his opponent,
had not the gang at that moment dashed up to them.

Surrounding him, they attacked the sheriff upon all sides, and in a
twinkling made a prisoner of him.

He was knocked senseless, bound and gagged.

As soon as Jack found that the sheriff was not following him, he paused.

"I wonder if he's in trouble?" he muttered. "I can't go on this way. No!
I'll return and see."

With this resolution he retraced his steps.

Reaching the spot where he had left Timberlake, he found that the
sheriff had vanished.

Looking across the hollow, Jack saw the ba