Squarely he landed behind the ranchman’s back.
But to the horror of the spectators, the shock sent the pony and Bowser down a foot.
“Turn your horses and ride for all your worth!” yelled Deadshot.
And, as the men obeyed, he completed the work of slipping the lariats beneath the ranchman’s arms.
Frantically the cowpunchers spurred their bronchos.
The lassos taughtened, then for a nerve-wracking moment there was a silence as the men watched to see whether they would be able to draw the two men from the awful death.
Slowly at first, then rapidly, Bowser’s body was dragged from the sucking mudhole, Deadshot clinging to his back.
But, as the men were hauled to safety, there came a terror-stricken shriek from the pony in the mudhole, followed by the gloating swish of the brackish water as it settled over the spot where the animal had disappeared!
CHAPTER XI.
SLIPPERY NIG IDENTIFIES THE MIDNIGHT RAIDER.