CHAPTER XXXVII.
THE MINER'S MISSION.
The gold-hunter, Andrew Seldon, rode on his way from his retreat in the cañon, determined to risk his life by returning to Fort Faraway and reporting the presence in the Grand Cañon of the masked outlaw band.
If recognized as Sergeant Wallace Weston, under sentence of death, he would be at once arrested and his execution would follow.
But he knew that Wallace Weston was believed to be dead, reported as dying of starvation in the desert at the time of his escape.
As Sergeant Weston he had been an erect man of martial bearing, with a face smoothly shaven and hair cut short. As Andrew Seldon he wore his hair long, and his beard fell half-way down to his belt, while he further had a pair of spectacles to disguise his eyes with, and had manufactured a hump in the shoulders of his coat that gave him a changed form, like one who stoops badly.
"But come what may, I shall risk it," he said firmly, as he went on his way.
After his night in the deserted camp where was the grave of Black-heart Bill he struck out for Fort Faraway. Suddenly he drew his horse to a halt as he saw a dust-cloud far ahead. It was approaching him, and it was made by horses crossing a sandy part of the country.
Out of the dust suddenly emerged a horseman, and behind him followed a pack-animal.
Hidden in a clump of timber Andrew Seldon saw that it was a white man, and that the trail he was following would bring him near his position.