All the time their ears were strained to catch the sounds of hoofs behind them.
If they could greet daylight without pursuit they would be safe.
All at once there came over the barren land the very sound they dreaded to hear.
Merle's face suddenly lighted up with secret joy and his figure seemed to turn in the saddle.
He knew what it meant.
The men of Round Robin Ranch had discovered the abduction, and were in pursuit.
Old Broadbrim, cool at all times, was never cooler than now.
He looked at Waters and saw that the young Briton was calm and collected.
In Waters' hand rested a cocked revolver and his clear, black eye was watching the prisoner's every quiver.
The three gave their steeds the spur, and the animals, rested a little, started off like a trio of arrows.