“You fool!” shouted the Mexican. “You murdering fool!”
Instead of starting away, Clay ran forward, drawing his automatic as he advanced. Two of the captors fired at him but missed. At the same moment the third man, angry at Alex’s disobedience of orders, sprang upon him and raised a revolver as if to beat his brains out.
But before the weapon could fall something which looked like a white streak of wrath shot through the air and landed on top of the man who was bending over the boy. The Mexican struggled, clutched at the dog, and went down, with Captain Joe’s teeth in the back of his neck. Once on the ground, he lay perfectly still, as the dog’s teeth seemed less dangerous when no resistance was offered.
In the meantime, with Clay running forward, regardless of the shots that were being fired at him, and Don Durand making off toward the hills to the west, the two remaining captors lost interest in the situation and struck out on a swift run.
When Clay reached the spot where Alex lay, still bound, he heard the boy urging Case to follow on after Don and bring him back.
“He thinks Clay is an officer!” Alex shouted. “Go and tell him the truth. Shoot the Mexicans and bring him back!”
Case understood in an instant and started on a run after the three, by this time some little distance away. But the boy had advanced but a few paces when he saw one of the Mexicans reach out and drag Don to the ground. There he proceeded to search him for the money belt!
Case’s shot was not necessary at that time, for the other Mexican turned about and shot his companion through the head. Then he, in turn, bent over the boy, unfastening the belt with fingers which were uncertain because of the excitement of the time.
Case saw him lift the belt and turn away. He raised his revolver, which he had snatched from the ground at Clay’s first shot, and fired, not knowing whether he was aiming at the head or the heels of the fleeing man. The bullet struck the Mexican in the right shoulder and the belt dropped to the ground. Without stopping to pick it up the fellow continued his course to the hills, and, as Case did not follow, was soon lost to sight. Don Durand was also hidden in the hills.
When Case returned to Clay and Alex with the sand-stuffed belt in his hand they both reached out for it. Alex did not care to have the deception discovered, and Clay desired to take a look at the money which King had told him about. The Mexican looked on with sullen eyes.