Do and Dare — a Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune

by Jr. Horatio Alger

  Col. Warner seemed in very good spirits. He ate and drank with violentenjoyment, and was as affable as usual. George Melville regarded himwith curiosity.

  "The man does not appear like a desperado or outlaw," he thought. "Thereis nothing to distinguish him from the majority of men one meets inordinary intercourse. He is a problem to me, I should like to studyhim."

  Col. Warner did not fail to observe the unconscious intentness withwhich Melville regarded him, and, for some reason, it did not pleasehim.

  "You have lost your appetite, Mr. Melville," he said, lightly. "You havebeen looking at me until--egad!--if I were a vain man, I should concludethere was something striking about my appearance."

  "I won't gainsay that, Colonel," answered Melville, adroitly. "I confessI am not very hungry, and I will further confess that I have somethingon my mind."

  "Indeed! Better make me your father confessor," said the colonel, whosesuspicion or annoyance was removed by this ready reply.

  "So I may, after a while," said Melville.

  He took the hint, and ceased to regard the colonel.

  The latter made himself generally social, and generally popular.

  The stage drove round to the door after breakfast, and there was theusual bustle, as the passengers bestowed themselves inside.

  George Melville had intended to watch narrowly the landlord and Col.Warner, to detect, if possible, the secret understanding which mustexist between them. But he was deprived of an opportunity, for the verygood reason that the landlord had disappeared, and was not again seenbefore their departure.

  The driver gathered up his reins, cracked his whip, and the stagestarted. Herbert looked at George Melville a little anxiously, notknowing what course he had decided to take. They two, it will beremembered, were the only ones who knew of the intended attack.

  Before the stage started, Melville quietly took the opportunity to handhis pocketbook to Herbert, saying, briefly: "It will be safer with youin case of an attack."

  "But won't it be considered suspicious that you have no money aboutyou?" suggested Herbert.

  "I have a roll of bills in my pocket-fifty dollars," answered Melville.

  They had no further opportunity of speaking, as one of the passengerscame up where they were standing.

  Herbert had already taken his seat in the coach, when his employer said:"Herbert, wouldn't you like to ride outside with the driver?"

  "Yes, sir," answered Herbert, promptly, for he understood, that this wasMr. Melville's wish.

  "It will give us more room, and you will have a better view."

  "Yes, sir; I shall like it."

  In a quick manner Herbert made the change, taking care not to looksignificantly at Melville, as some boys might have done, and thusexcited suspicion.

  For the first mile there was very little conversation.

  Then Col. Warner spoke.

  "Well, gentlemen," he said, "we are fairly on our way. Let us hopenothing will mar our pleasure."

  "Do you anticipate anything?" asked George Melville.

  "I! Why should I? We have a skillful driver, and I guarantee he won'ttip us over."

  "Mr. Melville was, perhaps, referring to the chance of the stage beingstopped by some enterprising road agent," suggested Parker.

  "Oho! Sits the wind in that quarter?" said the Colonel, laughinglightly. "Not the least chance of that--that is, the chance is veryslight."

  "You spoke differently yesterday," said the German capitalist.

  "Did I? I didn't mean it, I assure you. We are as safe here as if wewere riding in the interior of New York. I suppose I was only whilingaway a few idle minutes."

  "I am glad to hear it," said the German. "I shouldn't like to meet anyof these gentlemen."

  "Nor I," answered Melville; "but I am prepared to give him or them awarm reception."

  As he spoke he drew a revolver from his pocket. He sat next to the door,and in an exposed situation.

  "Put up your shooting iron, Mr. Melville," said Col. Warner, exhibitinga slight shade of annoyance. "Let me exchange places with you. I shouldprefer the post of danger, if' there is any."

  "You are very kind, Colonel," said Melville, quietly, "but I don't careto change. I am quite satisfied with my seat."

  "But, my dear sir, I insist--" said the Colonel, making a motion torise.

  "Keep your seat, Colonel! I insist upon staying where I am," answeredMelville.

  He was physically far from formidable, this young man, but there was aresolute ring in his voice that showed he was in earnest.

  "Really, my dear sir," said the Colonel, trying to conceal hisannoyance, "you have been quite misled by my foolish talk. I did notsuppose you were so nervous."

  "Possibly I may have a special reason for being so," returned GeorgeMelville.

  "What do you mean?" demanded the Colonel, quickly. "If you have, we areall interested, and ought to know it."

  "The Colonel is right," said the German. "If you know of any danger, itis only fair to inform us all."

  "I am disposed to agree with you, gentlemen," said Melville. "Briefly,then, I have good reason to think that this company of passengers hasbeen marked for plunder."

  Col. Warner started, but, quickly recovering himself, he laugheduneasily.

  "Tush!" he said, "I put no faith in it. Some one has been deceiving you,my friend."

  But the other passengers took it more seriously.

  "You evidently know something that we do not," said Parker.

  "I do," answered Melville.

  Col. Warner looked at him searchingly, but did not speak.

  Now was the time to test George Melville's nerve. He was about to take abold step.

  "Gentlemen," he said, "I regret to say that I have every reason tobelieve there is a man in this stage who is in league with the roadagents."

  This statement naturally made a sensation.

  There were seven passengers, and each regarded the rest with new-bornsuspicion. There seemed, on the whole, about as much reason to suspectone man as another, and each, with the exception of Melville, foundhimself looked upon with distrust.

  "Pooh, Melville! You must have had bad dreams!" said Col. Warner, whowas the first to recover his self-possession. "Really, I give you creditfor a first-class sensation. As for you, gentlemen, you may take stockin this cock-and-bull story, if you like; I shall not. I, for one, haveno fear of my fellow passengers. I regard them all as gentlemen, andshall not allow myself to be disturbed by any silly fears."

  The air of calm composure with which the Colonel spoke served totranquilize the rest of the passengers, who wished to put credit in hisassurance.

  "The Colonel speaks sensibly," said Mr. Parker, "and unless Mr. Melvilleassigns a reason for his remarkable belief, I am disposed to think wehave taken alarm too quick."

  "Of course, of course; all sensible men will think so," said theColonel. "My friend, we shall be tempted to laugh at you if you insiston entertaining us with such hobgoblin fancies. My advice is, to put upthat weapon of yours, and turn your attention to the scenery, whichI can assure you, gentlemen, is well worthy of your admiration. Justobserve the walls of yonder canyon, and the trees growing on thepoints."

  "Gentlemen," said Melville, "I should be glad to take the view of thelast speaker, if I had not positive proof that he is the man who hasagreed to deliver us into the hands of a road agent within the space ofhalf an I hour!"

  "Sir, you shall answer for this!" exclaimed the Colonel, furiously, ashe struggled to secure the weapon, his face livid with passion.

  But two passengers, one the German, who, though short, was verypowerful, forcibly prevented him.

  CHAPTER XXVI. A COUNCIL OF WAR.