'I have tamed him at anyrate,' said Jim. 'I'll tame them before I have done with them.'
He rode away to the left, for he knew a track by which he thought he could get ahead, and there wait until they came past.
The country near Barker's Creek was covered with scrub, and there was a considerable amount of shelter, much of it never having been cleared or touched in any way, but just left in its wild condition. He knew it would be a near thing between them, as the round would take him several miles out of his way. It was, however, the only course to pursue, so he sent his horse along at his best pace and hoped for success.
There is scarcely any twilight in the colonies, the sun goes down quickly, and day turns into night rapidly.
When Jim Dennis reached the spot he had ridden for he saw it would be almost dark in an hour, but that would serve his purpose.
If he could get hold of the stallion he knew the horse would gallop readily enough alongside his own.
He waited with the best patience he could muster, for he did not know whether they had passed the place. As the time went by he began to be afraid they had beaten him after all, and he had had his ride for nothing.
Presently, however, his quick ears caught the sound of horses' hoofs, and then he knew he had a chance of success. As they drew nearer he made ready to ride straight at them. Peering through the bushes that concealed him, he saw the two men coming along at a careless pace, evidently unaware there was any danger at hand.
When they were about fifty yards away he rushed up at them, and before they could prepare to meet him he covered one man with his revolver and said,—
'Now, you Dalton fellows, give up that horse. There are six shots here, so you have no chance.'