Page:The Cross Pull.pdf/267

 now seemed only to hamper him as he peered down the barrel of the big Colt at the men around the fire. He shook his head and lowered the gun as he leaned over to Moran.

“Watch your chance to slip away and look for her,” he whispered. “Good luck, Son.”

The old man dropped from the ledge and began to shoot.

The next second Moran stood beside him, the sharp crack of his automatic alternating with the terriffic roar of the black powder forty-five.

Siggens and Cole sank down beside the fire. Jarrat took three jerky steps and collapsed. Hanlin reached for his gun but his fingers fell away from it. The murderous fury of his face faded to a look of blank surprise. He placed his hand over his heart, turned on his heel and pitched down upon his face.

The rest were leaping for the shelter of the trees as the thought flashed into every mind that they had been ambushed and surprised. Their frantic horses reared and plunged as they sought to untie them with one hand while with the other they shot back across the open space. The flashes of their guns showed in red splashes among the purple shadows under the trees and the balls flat-