CHAPTER X
The Chase Continued.
Inez and Joaquin had now arrived almost within pistol-shot of the gang, which had concentrated around Monteagle.
‘They’ll catch us sure, if we don’t cast this fellow adrift,’ said one of the party.
‘He’ll never live to see one of us hung, at any rate,’ said Jimmy, drawing a revolver, and raising it towards Monteagle’s head.
‘Liar!’ shouted Joaquin, as he raised himself in his stirrups, and cast his lasso, which had been for some seconds whirling round his head.
Before Jimmy had time to touch the trigger the unerring noose was fast around his neck. Joaquin’s horse halted suddenly, bringing Jimmy to the earth with such violence, as to break his neck.
‘Don’t mind, Jimmy, but spur for your lives,’ cried Blodget, as he urged on his own steed, and that to which Monteagle was lashed. Maretzo instantly taking the place just before occupied by Jimmy.
The lassoing of Jimmy necessarily caused some delay to the pursuing party, which the pursued made good use of to increase the distance between them.
Joaquin sprang from his horse to disengage his lasso from the neck of the fallen man, and in turning the body for that purpose, brought the face of the villain into the full light of the moon.
‘Holy Virgin. Thanks, thanks. A golden candlestick shall grace your shrine,’ and his eye sparkled, and a gleam of joy shot over his swarthy visage.