"The boy's no fool," answered the major. "I honor him for his resolve, and I'll give him a pistol to fight with."
He took one from his pocket, and presented it to Tommy.
"That's to rescue your mother with," he continued.
"Thank you, sir," replied Tommy.
"If you're not back in three days I'll raise all Silver City, and we'll root out this robber, if he hasn't skipped, but I'll bet a five-dollar bill that you capture Capt. Jordan."
Tommy bestowed a look of gratitude upon Maj. Allston, and kept at a respectable distance from Smithers.
A man at this moment entered the apartment, and hearing the remark, exclaimed:
"I'll see to that."
Maj. Allston turned round and looked curiously at the stranger.
"You'll do what?" he asked.