The bridge sloped rather sharply on the north end, and as he rode down this incline he heard a sharp whistle, apparently some distance behind him; one sharp note. Instinctively he twisted in his saddle, looking back, and at the same instant he was blinded by a terrific flash, something hit him with a stunning force and he lost consciousness.
But even in his helpless, unconscious state, he seemed to hear voices. They seemed miles away, yet audible.
“Let me shoot him again.”
“He’s plenty dead right now.”
Then he seemed to be sailing through space, and he wondered whether a dead man was able to hear people talk. It seemed ridiculous, but who would know what a dead man could hear?
CHAPTER XIX: LEFT FOR DEAD
Sleepy and Breezy were playing pool at the Oasis, when the proprietor of the livery-stable came in. He wended his way to Sleepy and informed him that Hashknife’s gray horse had come back to the stable, sans rider.
Sleepy dropped his cue on the table and headed for the door, followed closely by Breezy. They trotted down to the stable, where they found the horse in a stall still saddled. Sleepy examined the horse and saddle by lantern light, but found nothing wrong with either.
“Must have broke away,” said Breezy.
“This horse don’t break away,” said Sleepy nervously. “What do yuh suppose happened, Breezy?”