Young Wild West at Forbidden Pass | Page 6

ter go through it.
They calls it 'Forbidden Pass,' yer know."
"Forbidden Pass, eh?"
Young Wild West looked interested.
"Yes, that's it."
"But what do they call it that for?"
"Well, there's a certain gang what belongs ter Silver Bend what runs
things their own way, an' they say that they've organized inter a gang of
outlaws ter clean out them what travels through ther pass. They put up
a sign at either end of ther pass, which is only about a mile an' a half
long, ter let any one what kin read know that they're forbid ter go
through. If they do go through they have ter git robbed; that's all. Ter
save trouble an' money ther most of folks would rather go around ther
other way, or else keep away from Silver Bend, that's all."
"Well, that sounds pretty good, I think, Sedgwick. I reckon I'll have to
go through that pass, just to see what will happen."
"I knowed you would say that, Wild. But if I was you I wouldn't bother
about it. They're a bad lot, an' no mistake--ther men what runs things in
that pass. They say there's about twenty of 'em, an' that ther most of 'em
is tough cowboys what have been forced ter light out fur stealin' cattle
an' sich like. Though there ain't any doubt that some of 'em lives right
in Silver Bend, no one knows who they are. They're a mighty bad lot,
an' since there ain't no chance of catchin' 'em, on account of ther many
caves what's along on either side of ther pass, they've been doin'
business there ever since we opened up ther camp, here, an' a mighty
good business they've done, too."
"That seems a little strange," and our hero shook his head. "What sort
of people are they over in Silver Bend?"

"Oh, about ther same as anywheres else, I s'pose. But I've heard say
that it's ther fault of them what's in charge of affairs over there. It might
be that some of 'em is in with ther outlaws of ther Forbidden Pass."
"It might be, that's true. Well, Sedgwick, you can bet that I am going
through that pass! I want to meet this gang of robbers, just to see if they
are any different from any other robbers I've come across. How about it,
boys?"
Wild turned and looked at Cheyenne Charlie and Jim Dart as he said
the last.
"Yer kin bet your life we'll go through ther blamed old pass!" the scout
answered, while Dart nodded, as though it was a matter of course.
"I knowed it!" exclaimed Sedgwick. "Ther minute I heard you was here
I know'd that you'd be fur goin' through ther Forbidden Pass. It struck
me, first off that you'd come here jest fur that very, purpose."
"No," answered our hero, shaking his head. "We never heard of
Forbidden Pass. But we are mighty glad to hear of it now, I reckon.
Sedgwick, you know pretty well what we think of gangs of outlaws,
and the like."
"I do," was the reply. "If you start after 'em once, you always land 'em
too."
"Well, we'll start after this gang, then. You can bet that we'll come
mighty near landing them, too!"
"I'm sure of that, Wild."
"Say!" said our hero, as the miners started again to go. "Didn't you say
that the outlaws consist of cowboys who have been forced to light out
from the ranches they worked upon?"
"Yes, that's what I heard over in Silver Bend."
"Well, there are three cowboys over at the saloon now. I've sized them

up pretty well, and it strikes me now that they might belong to that
gang. Anyhow, I am sure that they are no good."
"I saw them galoots, Wild. I don't know who they are. But they seemed
to be mighty respectful. Hoker, ther saloon keeper, was tryin' ter tell me
how you had some fun with 'em an' made 'em understand that they
couldn't do as they pleased. But I was so anxious ter git over here an'
see yer that I didn't pay much attention. I s'pose I'll have a chance ter
talk to yer after supper?"
"Oh, yes. We'll take a walk over to the saloon. I'll ask the cowboys
about the outlaws of Forbidden Pass, too."
The miners now left and returned to their respective homes.
"Well, Wild, I suppose you are very glad to learn all this," said Arietta,
as our hero walked back to where the girls were standing.
She, as well as the rest, had heard all that was said, and her face now
wore a smile as she looked at her dashing young lover.
"Yes, Et, I am glad to know that there is a