_ CHAPTER XX. MASKED FOES
The brave response of Celeste Seldon pleased the young miner, though he did not wish her to remain upon the box. He knew the merciless nature of the road-agents, and that if they fired without challenging him, she stood, in as much danger as he did of being killed or wounded. So he said:
"I would much rather that you should go inside the coach, especially until we pass the Dead Line."
"No; I remain here."
"You are determined?"
"I am."
"Then I can say no more, and I hope, recognizing that I have a lady with me, they will not fire upon me."
"You seem to confidently expect an attack."
"I am sorry to say that I do."
"May I ask your reasons?"
"Well, I happen to know that one who was secretly on watch here on my last run is not here to-day, having been called away. I also know that five horsemen, whom I have reason to believe to be road-agents, left W---- ahead of me for the purpose of robbing the coach."
"Have you much of value with you?"
"I have considerable money in bank-notes for miners at Last Chance."
"Is it too bulky for me to hide?"
"I think not, miss."
"Then let me try it."
A halt was made and the money taken from its hiding-place. Then the girl asked:
"Do you know the amount that is here?"
"Yes, miss, it is stated here," and he handed out a paper.
"I will take the paper and the money, for I can hide it," and with this she put it in a silk bag that she carried and fastened it securely beneath the skirt of her dress.
Feeling relieved on this point, Harding drove on and soon after came in sight of the Dead Line.
He had just come up level with the cross that marked the spot of former tragedies, and was talking to his team, which showed much nervousness at passing a scene which they realized as one to dread, when loud rang a voice:
"Hold hard, Harding, or you are a dead man!"
Not a soul was visible among the rocks or in the trees, and Harding had it flash through his mind to make a dash, when quickly the hand of the young girl was laid upon his arm and she said firmly:
"Obey!"
"I must do so," was the low reply, for the young man realized that it would bring a volley upon them to attempt to dash through.
So his foot went hard down upon the brake, as he pulled his horses up and the stage came to a halt.
"Make your lines fast around the brake and hands up now!" came the order from the unseen foe.
"You must obey," said Celeste Seldon, as the driver hesitated.
With a muttered imprecation Harding obeyed, and then out from the thicket came a horseman. His horse was enveloped in a black blanket, and the rider wore a black robe like a domino, shielding his form completely. His face was covered by a red, close-fitting mask, while a cowl covered his head.
"The devil on horseback," muttered Harding, as he beheld the man, and right there he made up his mind that if he was the sole one who held up the coach, he would watch his chance, if he could get Celeste Seldon away from his side, and try a duel with him for mastery.
But this hope died away when, as though suspecting the intention of Harding, the horseman called out:
"Come, men, and let us get to work."
Silently there came out of the thicket half a dozen men on foot, but all enveloped in black robes, wearing red masks, and with their feet clad in moccasins, while a quick glance at the hoofs of the horse ridden by the chief showed that he had muffles on, to prevent making a track.
The girl calmly surveyed the scene.
The half-dozen men appearing at the call of their chief seemed to be well trained, for two of them went to the heads of the horses, two more to either door of the coach, and the others awaited orders.
The horseman rode close up to the side of the coach, his hand upon his revolver.
"Harding, I see that you meditate resistance if opportunity offers, but let me warn you that you are a dead man the instant you make any attempt to escape or fire upon us. I would kill you now without the slightest hesitation, only I fear it would break up the line and travel to Last Chance, and that I do not wish. Dismount from that box, and, remember, my revolver covers you!"
Harding obeyed in sullen silence.
"Now, what freight have you on?"
"I have the mails, and this lady passenger, but, low as you are, you will not rob her, I hope."
"There was money sent through by you to Last Chance."
"You pretend to know this, but I have no money for Last Chance."
"I know better."
"There is the coach, search it; but let me tell you, if you touch the United States mails you will have every soldier stationed at W---- and at Faraway on your track."
"I believe you are right about that, and I do not care to fight the Government by robbing the mails; but the money I want."
"I have not got any, I told you."
"I do not believe you."
"Then find it."
"I will."
A thorough search of the coach was made, and then the driver was searched, but without any money being found.
"I know that the sum of thirty thousand dollars was to be sent by you to the miners in Last Chance."
"You know this?"
"Yes."
"How?"
"Never mind, but I know it."
"Well, you see that your spy misinformed you."
"As the money cannot be found it is a dead loss to me, and I hold you responsible."
"All right, I am."
"But, as I said, if I kill you no man will be found to take your place----"
"Oh, yes, Doctor Dick will."
"D---- Doctor Dick--I beg pardon, miss, but he refers to one whom I hate, and some day will be avenged upon."
"Well, if you kill me you will have the chance, for he will drive."
"With even that hope to get even with him, I will not kill you, yet I must have that money or a hostage."
"Take me, then."
"No, I could not realize the amount on you."
"Then do without."
"Not I, when there is a hostage at hand."
"Who?"
"This lady."
"Coward! you would not dare."
"Won't I? Then see, for that lady becomes my prisoner until I receive that money."
"What money?"
"The thirty thousand you beat me out of to-day."
"How can you get it by taking me with you?" asked Celeste Seldon quietly.
"Why, very easily, miss."
"How so, may I ask?"
"Harding will go on to Last Chance and report that I have you as my prisoner, to hold until the miners pay me the sum of--well, I'll add interest, so call it thirty-five thousand dollars."
"The miners have nothing to do with me, sir, they do not even know me."
"That does not matter, for they are a gallant lot of men, rough though they may look, and many of them be, so, when it is known what I have done, they will chip in generously and the money will be raised very quickly."
"How will you get it?" asked Harding.
"I will meet you on any day we may agree upon, at this spot, with this lady, and you will come alone, as I will, and the exchange of the hostage for the money will be made. If you come with others, or attempt treachery, I swear to you I will kill the girl before your eyes, so if you wish to have that done, play traitor, while, if you act squarely with me, all will be well. What do you say?"
"I say, as it cannot be otherwise, I will be your hostage until the money is paid you," said Celeste Seldon firmly. _