The mile to the spot where the secret entrance to the cave had been discovered by our hero the night before was soon made, and then they came to a halt.
Wild was just going to dismount to make an examination when a revolver shot sounded and his hat was knocked off his head.
The next instant fully a dozen came down the rocky side of the pass and confronted them with drawn revolvers.
"Hands up—everybody!" called out one of them, who was easily recognized as Chuck Snivel, the cowboy.
Crack—crack!
Charlie fired two shots in quick succession, and then urged the girls to flee.
Wild saw that nearly all the men were pointing their weapons at him, so he thought it best to obey the command.
He seemed to be the one they wanted, and he felt that one hostile word from him would insure his death.
Two of the outlaws had dropped when the scout fired, but the others were so close upon them that Wild was seized and pulled from his horse in less than a second, almost.
The young deadshot struck at them with his clenched fists and made it decidedly unpleasant for them.