"Ah said git out! Ye kain't go up the gorge nor over the ridge. Git out o' the mountains!"
"Not this evening, we won't!" shouted Lieutenant Wingate, now thoroughly angered, as he gathered up his reins.
Bang!
A bullet from the mountaineer's rifle went through the peak of Hippy Wingate's campaign hat, lifting it from his head and depositing it on the ground.
"Don't draw!" cried Grace in a warning voice as Hippy let a hand slip from the bridle-rein.
"Put yer hands up! All of ye!" commanded the mountaineer, the muzzle of his rifle swinging suggestively from side to side so as to cover the entire party.
CHAPTER VI
HIPPY MYSTERIOUSLY DISAPPEARS
All except Nora Wingate obeyed the command to hold up their hands.