"Here they come!" breathed Frank. "All ready for them!"
Right up to the mine-buildings charged the horsemen. They were dismounting when Frank's challenge rang out sharp and clear:
"Hold, Cimarron Bill! Stop where you are! Stop, or we fire!"
The outlaws uttered a yell and charged, firing the first shots.
Then Merry gave the command, and the armed and waiting miners fired on the raiders. It was a withering volley, and must have astounded the ruffians.
Bill, however, had come this time determined to succeed, and he called on his men to break down the doors. As they were hammering at the front doors, Frank led some of the men out by the back way and charged round the buildings.
The encounter that took place was brief and sanguine. The miners were encouraged by Hodge, Ready, and Gallup, who fought with savage fury, and the raiders began to waver.
Suddenly a tall figure came rushing into the thick of the fight and confronted Frank.
It was Tracy, who had been released from his bonds by a sympathetic miner.