The outlaws had gained the protection of the evergreens.
"Who's here?" demanded Jesse, a strange tremor in his voice. "Answer to your names as I call them."
So sudden had been their dash from the unprotected trail of the cliff to the woods that none of the outlaws knew who of their number had fallen victims to the terrible rain of lead that had been literally poured down on them from the edge of the precipice above.
And it was with bated breath that they heard their leader say:
"Comanche Tony!"
"O.K."
"Wild Bill?"
"Here."
"Texas Jack?"
"Here."