She ran out and pulled the picket pin of one of the horses. This animal she brought up close to the point where Frank crouched.
"Take heem queek!" she panted. "You haf de chance! Down de vallee. Mebbe you git 'way."
Frank hesitated. He knew the danger of such an attempt. He no longer doubted the friendliness of Gonchita, although the remarkable change in her was most astonishing.
But the firing from above continued, and the ruffians were forced to again take to their heels and seek still safer shelter farther up the valley.
That was Merry's opportunity, and he seized it. In a twinkling, while the rascals were in confusion, he leaped upon the bare back of the horse, headed the animal down the valley, and was off.
A yell came down from above; but Frank, bending low, did not answer it.
Two or three bullets were sent after him. He was untouched, however.
Gonchita had armed him with two pistols, neither of which he had used. One he held gripped in his hand as the horse carried him tearing down the valley, and thus he came full upon Cimarron Bill, who was returning to his satellites.
Bill was astounded. He had drawn a pistol, and[Pg 126] he fired at the rider who was stooping low along the neck of the horse. The animal tossed its head and took the bullet in his brain.
Even as the horse fell, Frank fired in return. He flung himself from the animal, striking on his feet.