Before any one of the occupants of the tonneau knew what was happening he was out of the auto and sprinting, as he had never sprinted before for the friendly darkness of the gully.
Angry shouts instantly broke out. The gully seemed farther than Ned had judged.
He had gained its edge, and, with a grateful prayer, was about to slide over into security, when he felt a sharp twinge in his right calf. At the same moment he heard the sharp crack of a revolver behind him.
Nobody had ever accused Kennell of being a bad shot, and he had aimed true this time.
Ned doubled up.
He was halted by unbearable pain. In another instant his pursuers had seized him with exulting cries.