The shelf was not more than four feet in width and six in length, while the descent was nearly perpendicular to the road a hundred feet below, so the combatants had small chance for operation, but each did his best, knowing it was a fight to the bitter end.
Little Snap particularly realized that it was life or death with him, and though smaller and weaker than his antagonist, he made such a desperate resistance that the outlaw found himself for once matched.
To and fro, back and forth the two struggled, first one reeling back against the steep side of the mountain and then the other, each in turn recovering himself, to renew the contest with more earnestness than before.
Burrnock had succeeded in getting in a vise-like grip upon Little Snap's throat, and our hero tried in vain to break from it.
"Now, my leetle bantam, I'll see who is master!"
With all the power he could muster, the postboy caught upon the wrist of Burrnock's uplifted arm with his right hand, while with the other he tried in vain to tear away the clutch at his throat.
CHAPTER XXVII.
LITTLE SNAP'S SURPRISE.
In the brief time he felt himself succumbing to the overmastering strength of Robin Burrnock, a thousand thoughts seemed to flit through Little Snap's mind. It was a moment he would never forget.
Once more rallying to throw off his antagonist, he struggled with renewed power at the hand grasping his throat, while with the other he kept aloft the brawny arm of the outlaw.
"Think ye ken whup me, blast yer!" growled the aroused robber, maddened to find himself thwarted, if but for a while, by the postboy.