He knew, also, that his only chance for escape was to avoid these roads and keep in the thickest part of the woods.

He sat down behind some bushes to rest for a few moments, and then started on again, sometimes creeping on his hands and knees, making use of every log and rock to cover his retreat, and stopping frequently to examine the woods in front of him, and to listen for sounds of pursuit.

He had accomplished about a mile in this way, when he found himself in one of the numerous bridle-paths that ran through the mountains in every direction, and, what was worse, he saw the scowling visage of Pierre Costello arise from behind a log not ten paces from him.

With the same glance he saw something else; and that was a crouching figure in buckskin, which was creeping stealthily toward the robber.
"Here's one caught," said Pierre, stepping into the path and walking toward Archie.

"None of your tricks, now; you can't escape." "I don't intend to try," replied Archie, with a boldness that astonished the robber.