Of course no harm was done, and Frank only smiled grimly.
He sent the Steam Man up the gorge, and in a few moments came out upon the plain, which was deep among the hills and hemmed in with a line of timber.
The cowboys continued to pour volley after volley into the Steam Man.
Frank waited until he had reached a favorable position.
Then he stopped the Steam Man, and picking up his rifle, said:
“Come, boys! let’s give them as good as they send.”
Of course Pomp and Barney were ready and eager.
A destructive fire was sent into the covert of the cowboys.
In a few moments it grew so hot that they could not remain there and had to get out.
With baffled yells they retreated deeper into the hills.