The loud shriek that came from the horse frightened the steeds of the robbers, and they began cavorting around the place like mad.
Charley Gorse leaped back to his seat, and the others made for the wagons with all speed.
Just then a loud shout rang out at hand, and when Frank Reade turned his head to see what it meant he dropped the reins and did not put on steam.
The battle was not yet over.
In a well-formed body, and around in every conceivable style, the villagers were pouring down upon the robbers.
With exultant shouts they precipitated themselves upon the outlaws, led by young Pedro, the Mexican boy, who sought to avenge a parent’s wrongs.
They greatly outnumbered the bandits, as they termed them, but these latter were armed in a superior manner, and the villagers would never have dared to tackle them had not our friends opened the way to victory for them by half demoralizing the foe.
Pedro leaped upon the horse bestrode by Sinyaro.
He caught the bold outlaw by the throat and yelled in his ear:
“Revenge!”