Lawrence Larrimore, nicknamed Landlord Larry, had seen him coming, and grasped his bridle-rein as he halted.
He had caught sight of the white slip of paper tied upon the bridle, and quickly securing it, read what was written thereon in the weak and wavering hand of the wounded driver, but which was recognized as the writing of Dave Dockery.
It was as follows, for Landlord Larry read it aloud, as the miners quickly gathered about him:
"Coach held up at Bud Benton's grave, and I fatally wounded.
"One passenger on box killed; miner in coach also.
"Coach robbed of large sum.
"Road-agent was alone, wore black domino and red mask, horse also masked, but feel sure I know him.
"I have just strength to write this, and beg quick aid, sending it by one of my wheelers.
"Come quickly if you hope to find me alive.
A roar went up from the crowd of miners at the reading of this note from Dave Dockery, who even then might be dying, and Landlord Larry cried:
"Spread the alarm, and let us go quickly to the spot, and try and save poor Dave, yes, and capture that masked road-agent, for he has got money in plenty.
"Oh! if Doctor Dick was only here to look after poor Dave, he might save him. Let me see! the coach was due at Bud Benton's grave about two o'clock and it is now after three. Come, men, mount and follow me!"
Dave Dockery was liked by all, and Landlord Larry was a very popular man; so, quickly, the miners obeyed the call to follow the one to the rescue of the other.
Just as the party of mounted men were about to ride away from the hotel, under the leadership of Landlord Larry, a shout was heard down the valley, and then came the cry from a score of men:
"There comes Doctor Dick!"
With an exclamation of pleasure Landlord Larry put spurs to his horse and dashed forward to meet the doctor, who warmly grasped his hand as the two met and called out:
"What is it, Landlord Larry?"
"Read this paper from Dave Dockery, who even now may be dead. We are going to his aid."
"And I will go with you."
"But your horse is worn out, Doc, and you look tired after your long trail."
"Don't mind me, for I will mount a fresh horse and follow," and Doctor Dick rode rapidly toward his own cabin.
The eyes of the miners followed the doctor as though all depended upon him.
They had come to almost revere this handsome, stern, mysterious man who had come to dwell among them, yet seemed so well fitted to adorn a far different life.
His life was as a sealed book to them, yet his skill as physician and surgeon was great, his generosity unbounded, and his nerve and daring far above those whom he had been forced to meet in deadly encounter.
He had made his home in a snugly built cabin under the shelter of a cliff within easy walk of the hotel, where he took his meals.
He had fitted his frontier home with an extravagance and comfort that was surprising, and had in a cabin near several as fine horses as could be found among the mining-camps, with a Chinese servant to look after them and his wants.
The doctor hastily dismounted, called to the Chinaman to throw his saddle upon another horse and look after the pack-animal, entered the cabin for a few moments, and before Landlord Larry and his party were a couple of miles away was in rapid pursuit.
He did not spare his horse, and overtaking the crowd of half a hundred miner-horsemen, he was greeted with a cheer, which he acknowledged by gracefully raising his sombrero.
Riding to the front of the column he took his place by the side of Landlord Larry, and set a faster pace than that at which they had been going.
"You say that Dave Dockery was able to write a note, landlord?"
"Yes, I handed it to you to-day."
"I thrust it into my pocket unread," and Doctor Dick now glanced over the note as he rode along. "I fear he is too far gone, Larry, for if he had been able he would have come into the camp. I will ride still faster, for every moment counts with a badly wounded man, and you see I am mounted on my racer."
"Push on, do, Doc, and I'll follow with the men as fast as I can," cried the landlord.
With a word to Racer, the horse was off like an arrow, and fairly flew up and down hill along the rugged trail to reach the scene of the tragedy and lend aid to the wounded driver.
At last the coach came in sight, and the coming miners were yet all of two miles behind. The four coach-horses, still attached to the pole, stood where they had been left by their driver, while the wheel-horse shot by the road-agent lay where he had fallen.
Near the coach, to one side, and not twenty paces from where Bud Benton had been killed, lay the form of Dave Dockery.
Throwing himself from his saddle Doctor Dick bent over him and said quickly:
"He still lives! Dave! Dave! speak to me!"
The eyes slowly opened, and there was a convulsive movement of the form, a struggle which, becoming violent, caused the doctor to grasp him firmly, and thus hold him.
The dying man seemed in an agony of despair at being unable to speak, and after a slight resistance ceased his efforts and sank back exhausted.
"Here, Dave, take this, for it will revive you," and Doctor Dick poured some medicine between the white lips.
As he did so a groan from another quarter startled him, and, glancing in the direction from whence it came, he saw the form of the young passenger, who had been riding on the box, quiver slightly.
In an instant he sprang to the side of the other sufferer, and bent over him, placing his hand upon his pulse.
"The bullet struck him in the forehead, glancing along the skull and coming out, I see, at the back of the head. It remains to see whether the bone is fractured – ah! here they come," and up dashed Landlord Larry and those who had kept up with him.
"How goes it, doctor?" asked Larry.
"Dave is beyond hope, I fear, while this gentleman is alive, though I do not know yet how seriously wounded. That man in rough clothes there is dead, as you can see at a glance; but come, we will get the wounded men into the stage at once, and I will drive on to the camps."
"And the road-agents?"
"By all means send a party to hunt them down," was the stern rejoinder.
CHAPTER VII.
DEATH AND MADNESS
All knew that Doctor Dick was a skilful driver, and that he would take the coach into Last Chance sooner than any one else could, so they hastened to get the team ready.
The harness on the horse, which had been the dumb messenger to make known the tragedy, had been brought back, and two of the miners' horses were quickly put in as wheelers, while the wounded driver and passenger were tenderly lifted into the coach.
In got a couple of miners to support them in their arms, while the body of the man killed by the road-agents was put upon the top of the coach.
Landlord Larry had himself led the party in search of the trail of the road-agents, while, mounting the box, and leaving his horse to follow on behind, Doctor Dick sent the team along at a slapping pace for Last Chance Claim.
As they went along they met other miners coming out to the scene, but these were turned back, as there was no need of their going, and Landlord Larry had with him all that was needed.
It was just nightfall when the coach rolled by the door of the hotel, while, to the surprise of all, Doctor Dick did not draw rein there. Instead he went on to his own cabin and came to a halt, while he said to the miners who accompanied him:
"If