Tersely, Jack and the rancher related their harrowing experience in the mine.
“Now Walz is streaking for Elks Creek!” Warner ended the account. “He’s on a fool’s chase, in my opinion. I could be wrong.”
“Shouldn’t we try to head him off?” Jack proposed eagerly. “He’s not had too big a start.”
“It won’t take long to sling our equipment together,” Ken added. “Maybe we can overtake him. We have a score to settle, regardless of the gold!”
“It may not be necessary,” Warner advised quietly.
Chapter 24
A FIGHT
His words were mystifying. Then the other three noticed that the rancher had turned his gaze toward the distant pass which guarded Headless Hollow. Far above them, on the high cliffs, they saw two struggling men.
“Walz and Joe Hansart!” Jack exclaimed. “They’re fighting.”
The watchers below were too far away to see the struggle plainly. It was apparent, though, what had happened. Evidently Walz had attempted to leave the valley with his sack of sample gold, and Joe Hansart had caught him. Now the two were locked in a death struggle. As the Explorers watched in horror, the two men fought close to the edge of the cliffs.
“They’ll kill each other, if we don’t stop them!” Mr. Livingston exclaimed.