By biting and scratching the desperate female at last freed herself from the old hunter's grasp. Then she bounded for the cave entrance. Watson aimed his gun at her and then lowered the weapon.
"Reckon I won't," he drawled. "Never did shoot at a woman, an' I'm too old ter begin now. She don't count, anyhow!"
And thus the woman was allowed to escape. She lost no time in quitting the vicinity.
The old hunter shook hands warmly with Barnaby Winthrop, who was profuse in his thanks to Watson for what he had accomplished.
"You shall lose nothing by what you have done, Ike," he said. "Just wait till I open up that new claim."
"Speaking of the claim, there is somebody else to see you," began Allen, when the talk was interrupted by the clattering of horses' hoofs on the rocks outside.
"Saul Mangle and Darry Nodley!" exclaimed Allen, as he glanced down the stony trail. "They are coming here, too!"
"They belong to the gang," said Barnaby Winthrop.
"Reckon ez how we can receive 'em all right," put in Ike Watson, dryly.
As quickly as possible Barnaby Winthrop was provided with firearms.