“It is right down thar,” he at length said, pointing down a ravine which led to a stream.
The place was admirably adapted for concealment. On a small level place surrounded by high cliffs stood a tumble-down house. It was shut in from view from every point except the single one on which they stood.
“Leave the horses here,” whispered Huffman, “I think I caught sight of some one down there. We will creep up on them unawares.”
Leaving the horses in charge of ten men, Captain Huffman, with the rest of his force, silently crept down the gorge.
THEY SILENTLY CREPT DOWN THE GORGE.
We will now turn to Calhoun. After he was captured and heard his men cheering as they made the charge, his heart stood still, for he expected they would all be killed. He was, therefore, greatly surprised when the firing ceased, and his captors came running back, and hurried him through the woods at a break-neck speed. The rapid pace was kept up for about three miles, when [pg 102]finding they were not pursued, they adopted a more leisurely gait. Of this Calhoun was glad, for he was entirely out of breath. The leader of the gang, and another, probably the second in command, had appropriated the horses, and Calhoun and Nevels had been forced to walk, or rather run.
Once Calhoun ventured to ask the result of the fight, and was told that all of his men had been killed. This he knew to be a lie, as his captors would not have retreated so hastily if they had achieved so sweeping a victory. He asked another question, but was roughly told to shut up.
When the rendezvous was reached Red Bill for the first time noticed his prisoners closely. He started when he saw Calhoun, and then turning to his gang, said, “I reckon we had better string these fellows up, and get them out of the way.”
“String us up,” boldly answered Calhoun, “and I would not give a cent for your worthless lives; Morgan would never rest, as long as one of you encumbered the earth.”