Though they had known that the outlaw had made some sort of promise to his pal as he lay dying in his arms, neither Rose nor Pedro were aware of its exact nature. Moreover, the constant reference to it since their capture had whetted the curiosity of the scouts.
Consequently it was with keenest eagerness the four listened for the bandit's answer.
"It's generous of you, Rosie, very," he finally declared. "But Red Rogers never broke a promise yet!"
And with these words, the outlaw mounted his horse and, followed by Pedro with the prisoners, set out for the Old Stockade.
CHAPTER IX.
A DESPERATE RUSE.
Despite the fact that the man who spoke these words was a villain of the deepest die, wantonly cruel, who had not hesitated to take the life of man or woman when his doing so meant the saving of his own, there was an impressiveness about his refusal to foreswear his promise to his dead pal. And, respecting his attitude, regardless of how perverted it was, the girl made no further attempt to dissuade him from his purpose.
Indeed, no opportunity could she have found even had she desired to make the attempt.
As the horses bore them up the trail, the outlaws and their prisoners were able to obtain a better view of the surrounding hills and what they beheld amazed them.