The can struck LeBlanc on the forehead, just above the eyes. With a groan he slipped to the ground, the knife falling from his hand and clattering on the pebbles on the ground.
Never waiting to look to see whether the blow had killed or merely stunned “The Bear,” Dick whipped his lasso from his belt where it hung, and flopping the limp body of the halfbreed over, slipped the noose over his wrists and drew it tight. He took several turns, and then bound the tied wrists to the body. Just for safety’s sake he threw a turn of the rope over the unconscious Frenchman’s feet and then waited to see if he would come to.
In a few minutes the man groaned and then stirred, trying to get up. He found that he was solidly bound, and when he recovered his voice, hurled imprecations at his captor.
Dick then searched the man and found a revolver, and then noticing a lump in his shirt, ripped it open and drew forth a canvas bag.
He opened it and looked in, and found to his great surprise that it was filled with rough tourmalines, among which he recognized some that they had mined, and noted particularly for some distinguishable mark.
He began to worry about the safety of his chums, wondering whether LeBlanc had stolen the gems by stealth, or whether there had been a battle and some one at the mine had been hurt.
He questioned the halfbreed but received only threats and curses for answers.
“All right; if you won’t talk, best thing to do is to get there without delay and see for ourselves. Now, LeBlanc, we’re going home on the double trot. Anytime you make a false step, or attempt to escape, or lessen your speed, I’ll not have the slightest hesitation in putting a bullet in you. Now, en avant, understand that? It’s good French for get a wiggle on you.”
Dick and his captive set off down the mountain. Dick knew that there would be no sleep that night, but he intended to rest, and figured on binding LeBlanc tightly to a tree during the dark hours. If he had known the country, he would have marched through the night, but it would be fatal to get lost at this point in the game.
Just after dusk he prepared to tie LeBlanc up, when he heard the thud of horses’ hoofs in the distance, and set up a whoop. In a moment or two a mounted Ranger appeared.