"I have been convinced that he was no ordinary individual, and had been well reared; but what a blow it will be to his friends to find him as he is, poor fellow."
After some further conversation Harding went to his cabin for the night; but he was not long in discovering that he was regarded as a hero by all.
He had not made the slightest reference to having met old Huckleberry at the Dead Line, and as he thought over the fact that he had done so, and the secret that was known to him alone, he muttered to himself:
"If they only knew, what a sensation it would be for Last Chance, yes, and for W—— as well, not to speak of the masked road-agent chief and his men, who thus far have been playing a winning game; but luck sometimes turns, and I guess it is nearing the turning-point now, and will come our way."
Harding reported for duty promptly when the time came around for him to take the coach again on its perilous run.
"We have got considerable gold-dust aboard, pard, and a big outgoing mail, so I hope you will go through all right," said Landlord Larry, while Doctor Dick, who just then came up, said:
"Yes, Harding, I have several valuable letters in the mail with drafts for large sums which I sincerely hope will not miscarry."
"I'll do the best I can, Doctor Dick," was the answer, and Harding went out and mounted the box.
He could not but feel gratified at the size of the crowd that had gathered to see him depart, and he raised his sombrero politely in response to the cheers.
He had gone through in safety once; but could he do it a second time? That was the thought in the brain of every man there assembled.