Just why the villainous leader of the band had seen fit to let them go they did not know.
The scout saw them go past him, but he did not offer to attract their attention.
He was waiting to get a chance to release Wild.
But it was not going to come to him just then, for Cap Roche suddenly called Chuck Snivel and said:
"Take Young Wild West out and tie him to the post again. I reckon we can't trust altogether to that Chinaman. It may be that he has told the miners of Big Bonanza all about this. If he has we will need the prisoner to make terms with them. There is one thing about it, and that is that Young Wild West don't go free until I know for a certainty that we will be allowed a chance to get away."
As soon as Hop saw that they were going to take Wild outside he made his way toward the front of the cave.
"Goodby!" he said. "When you findee lat me allee samee keepee my word you let Misler Wild go. Len you all go 'way, and nobody hurtee you."
Hop lost no time in getting outside.
He found the girls where the horses were.
But Jim and Arietta were nowhere to be seen.