Bearing burning brands in their hands, two bucks were advancing toward their victim tied to the stake, while two more carried armsful of dried twigs and leaves.
Less than ten feet were they from Comanche Tony.
Squatting about the campfire, prepared to enjoy the writhings of their captive, sat the rest of the Indians.
The distance from the edge of the cliff to the stake was too great for a pistol shot.
Yet Jesse realized that he must act at once were he to spare his chum awful suffering.
Bending toward Wild Bill, he breathed:
"We've got to rush 'em! Come on! Nail the devil's with the firebrands first!"
With a stillness marvelous in the rapidity of their actions, the two desperadoes gained the top of the precipice and dashed forward.
So engrossed were the bucks in watching their fellows that they had not seen the bandits.
"Give 'em a yell, then shoot!" whispered Jesse.