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Rh for Alan to overtake her. And Alan, who had been riding well to the rear, was abreast her in a flash.

Leaning out as he swept up, without drawing rein, the man wrapped an arm round the woman and lifted her lightly from the ground, setting her in the saddle before him in the flutter of a heartbeat. As if the added weight were but a stimulant, his horse let out its stride.

At this, Judith heard an oath muttered beside her and saw Marrophat jerking a revolver from its holster. The weapon swept up and to a level, but as the hammer fell Judith's horse cannoned heavily against the other, deflecting the bullet hopelessly. The shock of collision was so great that Marrophat kept his seat with difficulty. He turned toward Judith a face livid with rage.

Simultaneously, Judith saw Alan lean back over his horse's rump and open fire. An instant later his companion, Barcus, imitated his example.

In immediate consequence, Texas dropped reins, slumped forward over the pommel, then, losing the stirrups, pitched headlong to the ground, while Hopi Jim's horse stopped short, precipitating his rider over his head, and dropped dead.