A strange smile came to the lips of the wounded man.
"If you are not yet dead," he said, "I opines you soon will be a heap."
"Never count chickens before they are hatched, Monte."
"When you come back you'll find your mine in the hands of the syndicate. Bill will have it."
"That's interesting! How will Bill get it?"
"He will take it while you are away. He has gathered a right good gang, and he's a-goin' to jump the mine to-night."
"Monte," said Frank, "you interest me extensively. How does it happen you are not with the gang?"
"I am one of the watchers. I watch to see that you do not get back. I reckons I have done my part o' the job, for I shot you dead a while ago."
The big ruffian was not in his right mind, but already he had said enough to stir Frank Merriwell's blood. So Cimarron Bill had been watching his movements from some place of cover, and had hastened to gather his ruffians the moment Frank left the mine. Without doubt Bill had counted on Frank remaining away longer. However, this night he was to strike, with his gang. The mine was to be seized.