Frank followed her from the hut, but they were confronted by Dugan and Jones, who were running along the road. When he saw Merriwell free, the leader uttered an oath and fired at him with a revolver that he had drawn as he ran.
The girl saw the movement of her father, and, in an attempt to stop him, she flung herself in front of Frank. With the shot, she staggered and dropped into Merry’s arms.
Frank’s rifle had fallen to the ground as he caught her, but, with an awful cry of rage, he snatched the revolver from her relaxing fingers and returned Dugan’s shot.
He did not shoot to kill the man, but broke his wrist with the bullet.
Dugan’s revolver fell, and the man stood staring at his daughter, who lay on Frank Merriwell’s arm.
“My God! I’ve killed her!” he groaned, not seeming to realize that he was wounded.
But she recovered. She stood erect, swaying slightly.
“Miss Dugan, where are you wounded?” palpitated Frank.
“Here—in the side. I don’t think it is much. Oh—go! I will cover your retreat. They will kill you if you do not. Follow this wood road. It will take you into the regular road that leads to Danforth. Get as far away from here as possible, and get away quick. Your life will not be worth a straw after this if you remain. Go!”