"Who the devil are you?" said the red-headed leader.
"I'm a man, and I'll see fair play. What right have you to kick these fellows?"
"You're very plucky, all because your mate has got a shooting-iron."
"I can use my fists, too," said Hil, putting up her revolver and standing forward.
"Here put up your hands," interposed Hal and, pushing Hil aside, gave the fellow one from the shoulder that staggered him.
"A fight, a fight," yelled the crowd. "Go it, stranger."
Hal faced his man squarely and, watching his opportunity, landed him one in the mouth that stretched him flat on his back.
"Any more?" asked Reg, looking round, as if he would like his share. But the crowd had had enough and, as the two men who had been the cause of the row had taken advantage of the fight to slip out of the way, Hal and Reg and the girls got away without further adventure.
They found the town a very small one, which had once, like most inland towns, been in a fairly prosperous condition so long as the railway kept away from it; but the advent of the iron horse had caused it to fall, like scores of similar towns, into a deserted condition. Luck favoured the boys, for on calling at Condon's Hotel they got into conversation with an old swag man.
"Seen any strangers about to-day?" asked Hal.