Instantly the outlaw realized that they were Indians.
Yet so sudden had been their appearance that they were upon him, encircling him with their powerful arms, ere he could draw his six shooters.
For the moment, it maddened him to think that he, old Indian fighter that he was, had walked unsuspectingly into the snare of the cunning redmen, but only for a moment.
If he had been caught, his pals should not be.
And, utterly heedless of what the consequences might be to himself, the intrepid old bandit let out a yell.
Startled, the bucks gazed at their captive an instant, then their amazement gave way to snarls as a dozen hands sought Tony's throat, to choke off his outcry.
And it was the terrific pressure exerted by the steel-like fingers that had given to the shout of warning, the peculiar half wail, half roar, which Jesse and his men had heard.
Maddened by such defiance, the redskins uttered a few hoarse commands and the next instant Tony felt himself lifted from his feet and carried, in sturdy arms, up a path in the cliff.
But even then, desperate as his predicament was, the fearless outlaw's thoughts were of his fellows rather than of himself and he muttered:
"I've warned the boys, anyhow, no matter if I did get caught in springing the trap."