Half a dozen answering shots were fired at him, then the lad caught
the sound of hoofbeats. He knew the other man was riding away. Tad
gave the hoot of an owl as best he could. Rather to his surprise the
signal was answered off to the left. Tad repeated it and received the
same answer. He rode forward, on the trail of the fleeing man. In a
few minutes he was joined by Captain McKay and Stacy, both riding hard.
"Did you draw them out?" demanded the captain sharply, but without a
trace of excitement in his tone.
"Yes." Tad explained what had occurred.
"That was one of the outposts. The others will begin to stir soon.
We are too early. All the ruffians are not in yet. Well, it's too
late now. The alarm has been given. There they go!"
A succession of shots followed from distant points, widely separated.
McKay listened.
"Our men are shooting. It's time to close in. Stick behind me. Don't
try to ride off to one side. Keep your eyes and ears open."
The ponies leaped forward. The man and the two boys were riding a
dangerous pace considering the roughness of the trail, but none gave
a thought to the danger. The captain's voice was raised in a
long-drawn hoot, which was answered by another from some distance away.
Then the firing broke out afresh. It seemed as if no one could escape
that fusillade of bullets. Tad could hear the bullets screaming
overhead.
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