As the last word was spoken, up went the two rifles.
"Nabley," cried the American.
"All right," answered the disguised old man.
"Look after that outside brigand on your left."
"I will, and his neighbour, too?"
"If you can."
"I am thinking of my murdered friend, Pike, and I feel I can take twenty such vagabonds!" echoed the detective, fiercely.
"I'll take that big fellow, Jeff," said Harkaway. "You pot the other."
"Good."
"Now, then, you villains, when I count three, look out," said the detective, with a mild expletive.