But he knew he could not get away, and he was simply doing this to give his companions a chance.
They all took advantage of it but one, and that was Arietta.
"I reckon you'll pay toll fur coming through Forbidden Pass, Young Wild West!" one of the villains exclaimed. "Hold him tight, boys! I'm glad yer didn't kill him when that shot was fired at him. I told Chuck not ter do it. Ther captain wants him alive. Git ther gal, too! This is what I call collectin' toll, all right!"
Arietta's horse had been seized by the bit, and a ruffianly fellow stood holding him with one hand, while his other held a revolver that was pointed at the girl's breast.
The rest of the party had succeeded in getting around a bend, but Wild knew they would not go very far.
But before they had time to get back and do anything both he and Arietta were dragged up close to what seemed to be the rocky wall of the cliff.
Then the curtain rolled up, and in they went, the outlaws following with those who had fallen and the horses.
It was all done so quickly that our hero found himself in the darkness before he fairly realized what had happened.
Arietta uttered a scream as she was hurried into the mouth of the hidden cave, but a hand was quickly placed over her mouth, and that ended any further chance to let Charlie and the rest know where they were being carried.
Wild's weapons were taken from him while he was being dragged into the cave, and it was a very rough handling that he received.