"Say, do you remember the river road we walked over to-day?
Well, those fellows went in that direction, didn't they?
Don't you see?
Aren't you on?
The washout! If they don't know about it the whole bunch is at the bottom of the ravine or in the river by this time! Mum's the word! There's a chance, darling; the reward said 'dead or alive!' I'm off!" She tried to call him back, but it was too late.

With his own revolver in his hand, the half Orlando, half Blake, tore down the rarely travelled river road south.

Behind him Tinkletown raved and wailed over the great calamity, but generally stood impotent in the face of it all.
But few felt inclined to pursue the robbers.

Blake soon had the race to himself.

It was a mile or more to the washout in the road, but the excitement made him keen for the test.