Quick as a flash General Matajente wheeled his horse, dashed up to the solitary bandit, and gave him a blow on the head with the butt of his revolver that caused the man to reel and fall from his saddle.
“Open ranks there!” called the general. “Let the girls through!”
Two black streaks, bearing fluffy burdens of white, were moving swiftly down the moonlit road, followed several yards behind by a dense mass, from which came cries and yells.
“Close in after the girls, Dartmoor and Cisneros!” ordered the little officer. “Carl and Louis go next! Harvey, stay with me!”
On came Nigger and Tom, gaining with every stride of their magnificent limbs; on into their midst and through them, down the road, and as they went the two men and two boys followed and covered the retreat.
“Fire!” called General Matajente, who had taken his revolver from a saddle pouch. Two shots rang out, one from his weapon and one discharged by Harvey. A man fell from the front rank of those who pursued, a horse toppled over, and there was confusion in the mass.
“Now ride for it!” called the general, and off the two started, down the road, following the others.
Soon cries came again from the rear, horses at a gallop were heard, and an intermittent firing began. But the bandits were riding hard and their aim was poor.
“Two black streaks, bearing fluffy burdens of white, were moving swiftly down the moonlit road.”