The canyon narrowed toward the extreme end, and certain cavernous fissures in the rocks on the left-hand side seemed to indicate a sure and safe hiding place for marauders.
A huge mass of rock lay directly in the path. It appeared as if it had been detached from the parent basalt by some tremendous convulsion of nature.
Finding it necessary to make a slight detour to avoid the obstacle, Smithers turned the heads of the oxen.
Scarcely had he turned a dozen yards before two men on foot stepped out from behind the rock. This had been their hiding place.
Crape masks covered their faces, and served effectually to conceal their features.
The foremost, who appeared to be the leader, exclaimed, in a commanding voice:
"Halt!"
Smithers, who was by no means a brave man, trembled in every limb.
Both men were armed with pistols, which, as if to increase the man's terror, they leveled at his head, and with such an accuracy of aim that he could see by the direction of the muzzle that he was completely covered.
Mr. Smithers halted the oxen, Mrs. Smithers and the children crouched down in the wagon and furtively watched the actions of the robbers.