"I'll ride as long as I can, then I'll try to get away from them some other way," he decided.
The moment was rapidly approaching when he would be forced to resort to other tactics. Just what these should be he did not know. He would either be shot or captured in the event of his being unable to devise some other method of escape.
Tad Butler was resourceful. He had no idea of giving up yet. He was determined above all, to defeat the desperate purpose of these men and save Mr. Simms from the loss of his flock.
"We're gaining on him!" cried one of the pursuers. "I can hear the pony plainer now."
"Yes, I kin hear him snort," added another.
"You'll hear that cub doing some snorting on his own account in a minute," snarled Bluff, applying the spurs mercilessly.
"Shall we shoot, Cap!"
"I'll let you know when to shoot. No use filling all the trees in the range full of lead. We'll be up with him in a few minutes now and there'll be things doing. He can't get away. We've got him to rights this time."
"He's a slick one whoever he is. Think he heard us?"
"Can't guess. Don't make any difference anyhow. He won't have a chance to use the information, if he did hear."