"I'm firing too high," spoke Hal as composedly as though he did not feel any excitement. "I'll fire for your belt line after this."
That was too much for the ruffian's composure. He turned, running in a zig-zag line.
So Hal held his fire, awaiting results for a moment. As he waited he felt for his revolver ammunition.
Then he made a sickening discovery. He had no revolver ammunition beyond the five cartridges remaining in the cylinder of his weapon.
As for the invaders, they had more than three hundred rounds of rifle ammunition now at their disposal.
And they had fled to cover, too, but now Sergeant Overton had the uncomfortable conviction that three rifles were trained on him.
"Now, come down out of that tree on the double quick!" commanded the leader of the invaders.
"My coming will suit myself only," boasted Hal in a tone conveying ten times the confidence that he felt.
"That shot of yours may start help this way," continued the leader threateningly. "We ain't going to take any chances. Start on the second, or we'll begin shooting, and keep it up until we tumble you out of that tree."
"You may fire whenever ready," mocked Hal. "Every shot you fire will be a signal that will make my friends come faster."