"It's a trick," yelled the Captain.
He was goaded to desperation.
"Fire at will!" he commanded.
"Give it to him! Shoot low and fast!"
Still another heavy volley broke the stillness.
"Mount and pursue!" came the stern command.
Jesse rose in his saddle and swung the Winchester that he had drawn from the saddle holster, on his enemies.
Two soldiers bit the dust.
The troopers sprang to saddle. The death of their companions had filled them with mad lust for the blood of the desperado. Now they were yelling like a band of Indians who had discovered that their coveted prey was almost within their grasp.
The fleeing bandit made a sudden discovery. The opposite side of the circle of troops was drawing in on him. But instead of taking alarm, Jesse was quick to note the advantage that their manoeuvre gave him. The newcomers fired a volley into the air to warn the Captain of their location that he might not fire into the ranks of his own men.