But old Joe Crowfoot, faithful as ever, had prepared the miners for the attack; so it came about that[Pg 80] the ruffians were met with a volley of lead that dismayed and demoralized them. This was not the kind of work they relished.
Thus it happened that Frank Merriwell came hurrying forth, only to find the enemy already repulsed and retreating in disorder.
The starlight showed two men and a horse stretched on the ground, while another horse was hobbling about. At a distance down the valley the mine-seizers were fleeing.
"They git heap hot time!" said old Joe, in Frank's ear.
"What?" cried Merry. "Have they quit it as quick as this?"
"It looks that way, sir," said Jim Tracy.
"And I didn't get into the game."
"You was too busy defending Big Monte. I hopes you pardons me, sir, but I thinks that was a mistake."
"You have a right to think whatever you like, but I object to your freedom in expressing yourself."
This was plain enough, and it told Tracy that Frank would not tolerate any criticism from him.