Once more off dashed the green ghosts, hotly pursuing the fleeing Mexicans, whose yells resounded everywhere. In the camp was Ramon himself. He was suddenly aroused as his terrified band came stumbling in, imploring aid from all the saints in the calendar.
“What is this, you dogs!” he bawled, “what does this mean?”
“Oh, the ghosts! The ghosts with the green faces that burn, and the fiery hands!” screamed the panic-stricken Mexicans.
The shrewd outlaw at once guessed what had occurred. But even his iron nerve was shaken as he saw the green-faced spectres sweeping down the mountain side toward him. He stood his ground, however, and by his side stood Canfield, the red-headed American. But the two, unsupported by the band, were no match for the well-armed Border Boys and their companions, and they knew it.
“Surrender or be shot down like a dog!” cried Coyote Pete in Spanish, as they rushed into the camp. In the distance could be heard the yells of the scared Mexicans as they leaped to their horses and dashed off, deserting their leaders.
Ramon’s reply was to fire point blank at the cow-puncher. The bullet grazed his cheek and caused a temporary halt. In that brief instant Ramon and Canfield turned and dashed away at top speed. They scrambled upon their horses bareback, and in a jiffy the thunder of hoofs told that they, too, were off.
The adventurers instantly saddled their own stock and set off in pursuit. They had no intention of losing such an advantage as they now possessed. But their animals were no match for the fleet black, and daylight found them far to the rear of the chase.
But in the meantime Destiny, which had overtaken Ramon at last, had arranged a fitting finale for his tempestuous career. The Rangers, true to their promise, were on their way to meet our party at the place agreed upon, and at daybreak Ramon and Canfield, white faced, dust covered and desperate, encountered the rough and ready cavalry in a narrow defile. Ramon at once swung his black and dashed off like the wind, leaving Canfield on his exhausted beast to fall an easy prey to the Rangers. Leaving a file of men to guard the prisoner, the captain of the Rangers dashed off in hot pursuit of Ramon and his fleet steed. But the great horse easily outdistanced his followers, and had it not been for the hands of Destiny, Ramon might once more have escaped his end.
But as he shot out of the defile he spied, coming toward him, the Border Boys. The rascal was fairly trapped. Behind him were the Rangers, in front the Border Boys. As he hesitated, Coyote Pete cried in a loud voice: