“Yes; but what about the girl?  She will be just as much in the way, if not a good deal more so.”

“We can manage her all right when the proper time arrives.  Dick is our game, now.”

“He may prove altogether too much game.  But, now that we are counting eggs, how much of the ‘lay’ is to be mine, when this boy and girl are finished?” he queried.

“How much?  Well, that depends upon circumstances.  The girl may fall to you.”

“The girl?  Bah!  I’d rather be excused.”

* * * * *

The day passed without incident in the mines.  The work went steadily on, the sounds of the crusher making strange music for the mountain echoes to mock.

Occasionally the crack of a rifle announced that either a road-agent or a Ute miner had risked a shot at a mountain sheep, bird, or deer.  Generally their aim was attended with success, though sometimes they were unable to procure the slaughtered game.

Redburn, on account of his clear-headedness and business tact, had full charge of both mines, the “General” working under him in the shaft, and Fearless Frank in the quartz mine.

When questioned about his duel with Harris by Redburn, McKenzie had very little to say; he seemed pained when approached on the subject; would answer no questions concerning the past; was reserved and at times singularly haughty.

During the day Anita and Alice took a stroll through the valley, but the latter had been warned, and fought shy of the quartz mine; so there was no encounter between Anita and Fearless Frank.

Deadwood Dick joined them as they were returning to the cabin, loaded down with flowers—­flowers of almost every color and perfume.

“This is a beautiful day,” he remarked, pulling up a daisy, as he walked gracefully along.  “One rarely sees so many beauties centered in one little valley like this—­beautiful landscape and mountain scenery, beautiful flowers beneath smiling skies, and lovely women, the chief center of attraction among all.”

“Indeed!” and Alice gave him a coquettish smile; “you are flattering, sir road-agent.  You, at least, are not beautiful, in that horrible black suit and villainous mask.  You remind me of a picture I have seen somewhere of the devil in disguise; all that is lacking is the horns, tail and cloven-foot.”

Dick broke out into a burst of laughter—­it was one of those wild, terrible laughs of his, so peculiar to hear from one who was evidently young in years.

Both of the girls were terrified, and would have fled had he not detained them.

“Ha, ha!” he said, stepping in front of them, “do not be frightened; don’t go, ladies.  That’s only the way I express my amusement at anything.”

“Then, for mercy’s sake, don’t get amused again,” said Alice, deprecatingly.  “Why, dear me, I thought the Old Nick and all his couriers had pounced down upon us.”