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Tell him to go back into his stall," was Byrne's laconic rejoinder, as he pushed

his mount forward to pass the brigand.

The soldier was voluble in his objections. Again he reined in front of Billy, and by

this time his five fellows had spurred forward to block the way.

This is the wrong trail," they cried. "Come this other way, Capitan. Pesita has so

ordered it."

Catching the drift of their remarks, Billy waved them to one side.

"I'm bossin' this picnic," he announced. "Get out o' the way, an' be quick about it

if you don't want to be hurted."

Again he rode forward. Again the troopers interposed their mounts, and this time

their leader cocked his carbine. His attitude was menacing. Billy was close to

him. Their ponies were shoulder to shoulder, that of the bandit almost broadside

of the trail.

Now Billy Byrne was more than passing well acquainted with many of the

fundamental principles of sudden brawls. It is safe to say that he had never heard

of Van Bibber; but he knew, as well as Van Bibber knew, that it is well to hit first.

Without a word and without warning he struck, leaning forward with all the

weight of his body behind his blow, and catching the man full beneath the chin

he lifted him as neatly from his saddle as though a battering ram had struck him.

Simultaneously Bridge and Miguel drew revolvers from their shirts and as Billy

wheeled his pony toward the remaining five they opened fire upon them.

The battle was short and sweet. One almost escaped but Miguel, who proved to

be an excellent revolver shot, brought him down at a hundred yards. He then,

with utter disregard for the rules of civilized warfare, dispatched those who were

not already dead.

We must let none return to carry false tales to Pesita," he explained.

Even Billy Byrne winced at the ruthlessness of the cold-blooded murders; but he

realized the necessity which confronted them though he could not have brought

himself to do the things which the Mexican did with such sang-froid and even

evident enjoyment.

Now for the others!" cried Miguel, when he had assured himself that each of the

six were really quite dead.

210

The Mucker