r and beard, my glasses and other
changes completely disguise me from what I was, and so I will go to Fort
Faraway."

"For what purpose?"

"I wish to see Buffalo Bill, and place these facts before him, for we
can tell him where to find the outlaws' secret retreat, and I believe
that the girl and the young man can be saved and every member of the
robber band captured."

"It would be a grand thing for you to do."

"Yes, it is just what I wish to do, to render some valuable service to
the Government."

"When shall we start?"

"I will start to-night, but you, pard, must remain here in possession of
our mines."

"As you wish, pard; but will you be gone long?"

"Not a day longer than is necessary, pard."

"Well, success go with you," was Lucas Langley's response, and the two
men began to make preparations for the start of the one with information
of where the retreat of the outlaw band could be found.

Andrew Seldon did not care to take a packhorse, for he wished to make
all the time possible, and when the sun went down he was ready for the
trail, and, with Lucas Langley accompanying him, he started down the
canyon to steal by the robbers' camp.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

THE LONE TRAIL.

Well supplied with food and ammunition, having plenty of blankets along,
for the nights were cold, and mounted upon the best one of their horses,
Andrew Seldon felt ready to cope with whatever he might have to
encounter in the way of hardships and dangers.

Mufflers had been prepared for the hoofs of his horse, that he might
leave no trail and make no sound in passing the robber camp, while a
muzzle was carried for the nose of the animal, to prevent his neighing
and thus betraying his presence to foes.

After crossing the narrow ridge, the mufflers and muzzle were tied on,
and the two men stole along, leading the horse, until they came in sight
of the camp-fires. Only two were burning now, and about them only a few
men were visible.

The two men slipped by unseen with their horse, some eighth of a mile
distant from the camp, and having seen his pard to safety, Lucas
Langley bade him farewell, with many good wishes for his success, and
started upon his return.

Mounting then, Andrew Seldon set off on his lonely and perilous mission.
He ascended the hazardous trail, stripped his horse of his trappings
upon reaching the deadly cliff which he had to pass around, and got
safely by with the animal. Then he brought his saddle