The ruffians were in their saddles within a minute thereafter, some of them carrying wounded companions who had got in the way of Hippy Wingate’s bullets, and they were around the corner of the corral in a twinkling. Once in the shadow of it they faded away into the night, just as Two-gun Pete and his companions flashed in with guns ready for instant use.
“Quick! Fire!” shouted Idaho.
“Git water!” yelled Two-gun Pete, leaping from his mustang.
Old Joe Bindloss came up as the cowpunchers were dashing water on the flames that were now licking at the side of the building. He instantly threw himself from his pony and grabbing a pail began carrying water and giving orders at the same time. The blaze was extinguished in a few minutes. The Overland Riders came up at this juncture.
“Gosh a-mighty, what’s been going on here?” bellowed the rancher. “Look at that door! Clean busted in.”
The boys quickly brought lanterns from the stable, and by their light discovered the bullet holes in door and siding. Windows, too, were shot out at the front of the house.
“Thar’s been a fight heah!” decided Pete.
“Hippy!” wailed Nora, almost collapsing as her pony stopped.
“We’ll find out about thet, Missie,” answered Pete. “Hey, Dude! Be you thar?” he shouted.
There was no reply, and the Overlanders ran for the house, each one fearing the worst.