Back recoiled the stage, the ram was withdrawn from the horse, and then she dashed ahead again in hot pursuit of the gang who all rode like fury now, to escape.
As they plunged ahead, the inmates of the stage kept up a pitiless fusillade of shots against the flying outlaws.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE STRANDED COUNTRYMAN.
"We can't run any further!"
"Gee whiz, lad, then ther bandits'll escape!"
"I can't help that, Tim; there's something the matter."
The Terror had scarcely emerged from the canyon, when the lights suddenly went out, the machinery ceased to work, and the electric stage came to an abrupt pause.
All the bandits had been seen bunched far ahead, going down the slope at a breakneck pace.
When the light went out they vanished.