"If those road-agents were treacherous, as you seem to fear, it would end in their utter annihilation."
"How so, Doc?"
"Why, the miners would send the alarm to W—— and to Fort Faraway, and we would have that splendid fellow, Buffalo Bill, leading a column of soldiers on the hunt for them from one point, another force would push out from W——, and a couple of hundred miners from Last Chance, and every outlaw in this part of the country would be caught and hanged."
"I believe you are right, Doc. I had not thought of the result of treachery on their part, for they would get the worst of it; no, I guess all will go well."
"I think so, and hope so sincerely," answered Doctor Dick, and the coach rolled on in silence for some time, when Harding asked:
"What do you think of Brandon's disappearance, doctor?"
"I hardly know what to think, unless he has fallen from some precipice and killed himself."
"I guess that is it; but now let me give you a warning, Doc."
"Of what?"
"That young girl."