"Then charge!"
Down the road at a rapid gallop went the three horses, carrying the four friends.
Hal, Colonel Anderson and Nikol each guided their mounts with their left hands, flourishing their revolvers in the right. Chester held fast to Hal with his left and also flourished a revolver with his free hand.
Nearer and nearer they came upon their unsuspecting enemies, who still stood where they had been when first discovered. Occasionally one fired his revolver at the spot from which shots came at frequent intervals now.
"Wonder why those fellows beyond don't charge, now that they must see us coming," muttered Hal to himself.
He watched the puffs of smoke as they came at intervals, and he was suddenly struck by an idea.
"By Jove!" he shouted, to make himself heard, "I'll bet there is only one man there. That's why the shots are so far apart."
"Well, we're pretty evenly matched," said Chester. "There are only six of them in condition to fight."
"Five," said Hal suddenly, as another of the enemy pitched suddenly to the ground, a shot from beyond having struck him.
"See! they are going to charge him!" cried Chester, peering over his friend's shoulder.