Scarcely had these precautions been taken, when the foremost man came in sight, and then the main body. Their oaths and curses, if nothing else, would have identified them as the band of vigilantes, returning from an unsuccessful search for the outlaws, thanks to Poynter's timely warning.
After waiting a few minutes, until satisfied that the entire band had passed, the ambushed men again entered the road, proceeding for some little distance in silence. Then Clay spoke:
"Those fellows weren't in the best of humor, eh, Jack?"
"Not overly much. Wal, it shows 'at the boys got cl'ar, anyhow. But see, hyar's the cut-off."
"Leading to Bald Hill?"
"Yas," and Fyffe led the way along a narrow, irregular path.
CHAPTER X.
SPROWL TOES THE MARK.
In less than half an hour the tall, rocky crest of "Bald Hill" reared its gray head before the men, and Poynter gave vent to a sigh of relief as he saw that the tiresome ride was nearly at an end. Having traveled the distance four times, twice upon foot, and once on a dead run, he was greatly exhausted, and so sleepy that he could scarcely keep his eyes open.