“But your leg, it’s—”
“Bother the leg. I tell you they’re after us.”
“Well, you go first or I won’t move a step.”
Bob did not wait to argue the point for the men were approaching rapidly as he could tell by the sound. He started off at a rapid pace and Jack followed close behind. At first they seemed to gain on their pursuers but Bob quickly realized that he would be unable to keep up the pace for but a short time and slowed up.
“Leg, bad?” Jack asked anxiously.
“It gives me the dickens when I try to hurry,” Bob panted.
“What had we better do?”
“Go as far as I can. We may shake them off.”
But he had little hope as he said it. An occasional sound from the rear told him that they were no longer gaining if indeed they were holding their own.
“They’re almost up to us,” Jack panted a few minutes later. “I think we might as well stop and make a stand with the gun. We can get the drop on them.”