But quickly a second shot rang out, and, notwithstanding the plunging team, which brought all of Horseshoe Ned’s energies to bear to stop them from turning short around in the stream, the bullet was truly aimed and the left arm dropped to his side, the weapon falling into the water.
“My God, miss, don’t kill me!” cried the road-agent, and he wheeled his horse by a movement of his body and a word, to dash away.
“I hate to harm that beautiful animal, but he must not escape,” cried Ruth, now thoroughly aroused, and for the third time her revolver was raised.
A quick glance along the barrel and the third shot rang out. Although the horse was bounding up the hill at full speed, the aim was true and the animal dropped upon his knees, stumbled, and went down, throwing his rider hard.
“I’ll catch him, miss, if you can hold the team,” cried Horseshoe Ned, after giving vent to a wild yell of admiration for the girl’s crack shooting and the success she had met with.
But as he spoke there came a rushing sound behind them, a plunge, and a horseman was crossing the stream with mighty leaps.
“Buffalo Bill!” yelled Horseshoe Ned wildly, and in an instant the scout had crossed the stream and was by the side of the wounded outlaw.
“Don’t kill me, for I cannot resist,” said the road-agent faintly.
Snatching the mask from his face, Buffalo Bill said:
“Ah! I know that face. You are the one of Silk Lasso Sam’s band who escaped. Ho, Ned, you did some crack shooting here, even if you did not kill him.”