"Haven't time!" shouted back Jed.
"I want to speak to you!" went on the gambler.
"No, you don't!" said Will to himself. "I know what that means!"
He kicked his heels on his horse's sides, and the good old plow horse increased its pace. Owing to the fact that the steeds of the boys were fresh, and to the circumstance that the animals of the gamblers had quite a slope to climb, the boys secured a good lead. They did not ride back up the valley, but down it, though they turned into another trail, as it divided just where they had halted for their meal. To get on this trail Morton and his cronies would have to breast a slope, and then swing over to the left. The boys lost sight of them for a moment.
"I wonder why he came back after us?" asked Will.
"Probably they were hanging around. They saw that no one came to join us, and they imagined it was safe to tackle us. But I'm not going to give up."
"Me either. I'll fight first!"
With set faces the brothers urged their horses on. But now their pursuers had gained the turn, and were thundering down the second valley after them.
"Stop! stop!" yelled Morton.
Jed and Will returned no answer.