"If you want to leave any message for anybody I'll see it's
delivered," promised Duffield.

"I'll not trouble you with any."

"Just as you like."

"He didn't give poor Dave any time for messages," cried Tom Long
bitterly.

"That's right," assented another with a curse.

It was plain to the victim they were spurring their nerves to
hardihood.

"Who's that?" cried one of the men, pointing to a rider galloping
toward them.

The newcomer approached rapidly, covered by their weapons, and flung
himself from his pony as he dragged it to a halt beside the group.

"Steve Fraser," cried Duffield in surprise, and added, "He's an
officer in the rangers."

"Right, gentlemen. Come to claim my prisoner," said the ranger
promptly.

"Y'u can't have him, Steve. We took him and he's got to hang."