But he did not do so.
A thrilling incident stopped him. A loud cry went up.
“The cowboys! they are coming! To arms everybody! There comes Cliff at their head!”
Every eye was turned to the plain beyond the stockade.
There was no disputing the truth. Cliff and his gang returning from the hills had come just in time.
It would be folly now to burn the ranch.
Harmon, seeing the desperate exigency dropped the torch, and cried:
“To the stockade! It’s for life or death, boys. Fight to the last!”
But the command was not necessary. Already the brave Vigilants were at their posts.
Cliff with his small army of followers came on at a swinging gallop.