"Halt, or we'll shoot!"
Rising in their stirrups the better to see, the desperadoes awaited the result of the command.
But instead of obeying, those in the lead only increased their speed.
There was a moment of intense silence.
Then a rifle cracked.
And before the report died away a woman's scream rang out.
"By the blood of my mother! That's Sue's voice!" gasped the world-famous outlaw. "After the devils, boys! We must get 'em before they can shoot again!
"If they've hurt my sister or the girls with her, their life-blood will pay for it!"
Roused by the cowardly shot at the helpless women, the Younger brothers sprang their horses after their leader, ranging themselves at his side when they had, with difficulty, overtaken him.
Having been prevented from shooting at their pursuers when they made their dash for liberty from the Prior farm by their lack of rifles, Jesse had lost no time in supplying the want when he had discovered the small arsenal possessed by Theodoric Snuffer, though his eagerness to purchase them compelled him to pay an exhorbitant price, and as they cut down the distance between the six horsemen and themselves, he ordered his companions to unsling the Winchesters from their shoulders.