"Let him go," said Prince aloud. "Mr. Dumont won't bother us a whole lot.
He's gun-shy anyhow."
From across the river came a scatter of bullets.
"They've got to hit closeter to that before they worry me," Jim called to the two above.
"I don't think they shot to hit. They're tryin' to scare Miss Lee away," called down Billie.
"As if I didn't know dad wouldn't let 'em take any chances with me here," the girl said confidently "If we can hold out till night I can stay here and keep shooting while you two slip away and hide. Before morning your friends ought to arrive."
"If they got yore message."
"Oh, they got it. Jack Goodheart carried it."
The riflemen across the river were silent for a time. When they began sniping again, it was from such an angle that they could aim at the cave without endangering those above. Both Clanton and Prince returned the fire.
Presently Lee touched on the shoulder the man beside her.
"Look!"