“Faster, Fleet, faster, old boy, we’re going to save your mistress!”
The noble beast responded with a fresh burst of speed. Powers had reached the pass, and abandoning his horse took to his heels, disappearing through the pass. Mason quickly made the pass, dismounted, and looking to his weapons, plunged after him. He could hear his man from an occasional stone he dislodged. He was climbing the steep side of the gorge. Soon, the faint sounds from the outlaw ceased. Mason was puzzled and afraid the fugitive would give him the slip, but he determined to keep on climbing the steep side of the gorge, while running a chance of getting shot from ambush.
After a laborious climb he reached a small plateau where he beheld a sight that brought a cry of rage from his lips. It was Josephine struggling in the arms of the outlaw!
Mason instantly threw his rifle to his shoulder.
“Hands up! Powers, or I’ll fire,” he called sharply.
Powers looked up startled, and with bloodshot eyes.
“Shoot!” he cried savagely, swinging Josephine in front of him as a shield.
Mason lowered his gun in dismay.
“Why don’t you shoot?” Powers taunted him, still holding the girl in front of him.
“You coward!” Mason flung the words at him, his eyes blazing with fury. “Drop the girl and fight me like a man. I’ll fight you empty handed.” Suiting the action to his words, he threw his rifle and revolver on the ground.