Page 280 (1/1)

"Couldn't we get away after dark?" asked the Easterner

"It's our only hope if help don't reach us," replied Bridge

But when night finally fell and the five men made an attempt to leave the house upon the side away fro they wereof bullets One of the Mexican defenders fell,him within and replace the barricade before the door when five of Pesita's ed close up to their defenses These were finally driven off and again there cae reposted the defenders at the upper here they ed on the hopelessness of their position grew upon the one--each --and it was evident that Pesita, through an inordinate desire for revenge, would persist until he had reduced their fortress and claimed the last of them as his victim

It ith such cheerful expectations that they awaited the final assault which would see them without ammunition and defenseless in the face of a cruel and iht that the anticipated rush occurred Fro the reports of carbines and the yells of the bandits There were scarcely inal twenty left; but they made up for their depleted numbers by the rapidity hich they worked their fireare cries

And this time they reached the shelter of the veranda and co at the door

At the report of the rifle so close to them Billy Byrne shoved Barbara quickly to one side and leaped forward to close with the man who barred their way to liberty

That they had surprised him even more than he had them was evidenced by the wildness of his shot which passed harmlessly above their heads as well as by the fact that he had per the, for it permitted Billy Byrne to close with him before the Indian could reload his antiquated weapon Down the twofor a death-hold; but in weight and strength and skill the Pihter, a part of whose daily workouts had consisted in wrestling with proficient artists of the mat