Perk seemed well pleased, and lost not a second in “getting a move on,” as he himself would have termed it. Making a speedy dash he managed to reach the vicinity of the fastened door, drew back his right arm, and then shot it forward. A second time was the movement carried out, after which he staggered along the rocky wall, and fell at Jack’s feet as if exhausted by his supreme effort.
Jack’s first impulse was to bend down in order to see what he could do to help his wounded pal; but Perk refused to be counted out.
“Go on and play the game to a finish, buddy,” snapped the other, managing to attain a sitting posture, and pawing for his gun, lying close by; “I’m all to the good—don’t bother ’bout me now—get your men first thing—I’ll hold out okay—go to it, partner. Gosh! jest hear ’em whoopin’ things up, will you?”
The inmates of the barricaded fort were indeed creating a frightful row, cursing, and shouting, and begging some one to open the door so as to give them fresh air, saying their eyesight was gone, and they were stone blind.
Red had taken up his position close to one side of the door, as if waiting to nail the first fellow who came staggering forth, groping in utter darkness, and with his eyeballs smarting frightfully; so there was nothing for Jack to do but back the efficient Mounty up.
One of the prisoners and victims of the tear gas bombs managed to remove the bar holding the massive door; and as they came staggering forth, one after another, those awaiting seized hold, frisked them for weapons, and with incredible swiftness snapped a pair of handy steel bracelets upon their several wrists.
It was soon all over but the shouting—there proved to be six of the outlaws, including the Hawk himself. The latter, when undergoing the agonies attending the effects of the gas, displayed no symptoms of his accustomed bravado, although he did not whimper, and plead, like some of the other victims.
Jack hastened to take a look at Perk’s wound, and found that while he had lost considerable blood, and seemed weak, there was not anything very serious about it—a rest of several days would set him on his feet again without any doubt.
Anxious to get back to the station with their prisoners they lost no time in looking over the secret hiding place of the now demoralized gang which could wait for another day; but loading the prisoners on the horses, made a speedy start. Three hours later what was their delight to suddenly meet a body of Mounties heading toward the scene of the recent battle; and at their head rode none other than Colonel Ascot himself.
As Dr. Hamilton was believed to be at the trading post, and Jack wished to have him look after Perk, they headed in that direction first of all, each of the troopers having one of the dejected prisoners in front of him astride his mount.