Naturally powerful, the trained muscles of the scouts enabled them to pitch and toss the outlaws about the plateau. But, strive as he might, neither could break the vice-like hold about his neck.
Summoning all his strength, with a mighty effort, Jennings managed to get to his knees.
Like a maddened bull, Red Rogers snorted and puffed as he strove to force his captive down again. But the years of confinement in prison had sapped his former titanic strength, and it flashed to his mind that only by trickery could he overcome the wiry Scout.
Realizing the outlaw's lack of condition, as he felt his grip relax when he gained his knees, Jennings took courage.
But his joy was short lived.
With tremendous force, Red Rogers drove his knee into the spine of the Scout, at the same time jerking him backwards.
Powerless to resist, Jennings was flat on the plateau, and in a trice the outlaw was kneeling upon his chest, his flushed face grinning in triumph.
Shaw, however, had been no match for Pedro, and, cursing and squirming, was being securely roped by the bandit.
Fascinated, Scotty and the girl had watched the men struggling for mastery as they rolled about the plateau.
As it became evident that his fellows could not overcome the advantage gained by the outlaws in their rear attack, the youngster gritted his teeth at his impotence, then suddenly whirled upon the girl, swinging his arm in an attempt to knock the six shooters from her hands.