"No, indeed;" Frank's face flushed, half angrily. "I thank my stars I am not quite so low down as that, yet. Do you know them? That's Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road, and his band of outlaws!"
"What—is it possible? The same gang whom the Pioneer is making such a splurge over, every week."
"The same. That fellow clad in black is Deadwood Dick, the leader."
"Humph! He in black; you in scarlet. Two contrasting colors."
"That is so. I had not thought of it before. But no significance is attached thereto."
"Perhaps not. Have you the least idea what brought them here?"
"The road-agents? I reckon I do. The military has been chasing them for the last two days. Probably they have come here for protection."
"Maybe so; or for plunder. Give me your decision, and I will go and see what they want."
"There is nothing for me to decide more than to take the back track."
Redburn shook his head, decidedly.