The volley from so unexpected a quarter took the horsemen completely by surprise, and they pulled up with a jerk. The action proved their undoing, for as they stood thus for a moment, they gave those in the train the opportunity they desired and the volley that followed turned four more riderless horses upon the plain.
It was more than flesh and blood could stand, and the seven or eight remaining horsemen turned and fled, followed by at least three whistling bullets from as many Marlins.
The fight was over and the bullion had been saved, but what of Broncho Billie, who had been left at the top of the hill four miles away?
That was the first question asked by Donald when he greeted Adrian two minutes later.
"Oh, he's all right," was the laughing reply. "He's just taking a little walk for his health."
But when Billie failed to put in an appearance an hour later, the boys mounted their horses and started up the track to meet him, leading Billie's mount between them.
CHAPTER III.
BILLIE LOSES HIS NERVE.
Broncho Billie was not a rapid walker. In fact, if there was any one thing in which Billie was not a success, it was walking. He could ride a horse all day, but when it came to depending upon his own legs as a means of locomotion, he was a dead failure.