The plan offering the shortest way out of their predicament, for both desperadoes were sufficiently versed in the ways of the detectives to know that they would wire to the surrounding towns for men to ride out to intercept them, they hurriedly struck toward the road where the hard footing enabled their mounts to increase their speed.
Thoroughly familiar with the lay of the land, they reeled off mile after mile, now and then looking back as they mounted a rise in the road.
"Here they come!" exclaimed Cole suddenly as he caught sight of the cloud of dust raised by the posse.
"Ha! I hadn't counted on their hitting the highway," growled his chief. "We'll strike into the woods as soon as we reach 'em."
Fully half a mile lay between the outlaws and the protecting shelter of the trees and in silence they rode for them.
Nearer and nearer came the whirlwind of dust and soon faint shouts told that the pursuers had sighted their quarry.
But the cries caused the bandits no concern. They knew there were several rises in the road that the posse must cover and timing their arrival at the woods for the interval when they would be hidden by one of them, Jesse swerved his mount into the underbrush.
And the howl of disappointment that broke on the air when the pursuers gained the top of the hill and found the fugitives had disappeared was sweet music to the ears of the bandits.
Again had the man-hunters been balked!