But the outlaw held a different opinion.
"I'll bet all the gold in my belt against a pebble they're on our trail now. That's why I left the horses on the plateau where they could be seen."
"But what's the use of running the risk of a gun shot so soon, Red?" demanded the girl.
"There won't be any risk, Rosie," returned the desperado. "But, even if there was, I'd take it. I need those scouts as bad as we did their horses."
This statement puzzled Red's companions. For a few moments they sought to reason it out, then gave it up and asked, almost in the same breath.
"Why?"
"Because with them in my power, I can make some sort of terms in case the other scouts surround me. If I'd had a couple of hostages, I'd never have been caught the last time."
Readily recognizing the advantage such a capture would give them, the girl jumped to her feet.
"Let's go out and see if they're trailing us," she exclaimed, hurrying to the mouth of the cave.
But, before she could pass out onto the plateau, Red halted her.