“Whurroo! bad cess to yez fer a pack av omadhouns,” cried Barney, dealing one of the cowboys a crushing blow on the head.
Before one could think, the iron bar came down upon the head of another. Both sank senseless to the floor of the wagon.
Frank Reade, Jr., had knocked Cliff senseless. Only one of the foe was left, and he was quickly knocked out.
In a twinkling, as it were, the tables were turned.
Barney and Frank Reade, Jr., were now masters of the Steam Man once more. The irrepressible Irishman pulled the whistle valve and sent up a shriek of defiance and triumph.
Then Frank Reade, Jr., swung open the wagon door.
“Throw them out!” he cried; “all but Cliff.”
Barney obeyed the command. The three cowboys were quickly dumped out upon the ground.
But Cliff was allowed to remain. The villain lay insensible in the bottom of the wagon.
Frank was about to bind him, when an imminent peril claiming his immediate attention prevented him.