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Then Billy replied, and Barbara, too, from just behind his shoulder. Together they

backed away toward the shadow of the trees beyond the village and as they went

they poured shot after shot into the village.

The Indians, but just awakened and still half stupid from sleep, did not know but

that they were attacked by a vastly superior force, and this fear held them in

check for several minutes--long enough for Billy and Barbara to reach the

summit of the bluff from which Billy and Eddie had first been fired upon.

Here they were hidden from the view of the Indians, and Billy broke at once into a

run, half carrying the girl with a strong arm about her waist.

"If we can reach the foothills," he said, "I think we can dodge 'em, an' by goin' all

night we may reach the river and El Orobo by morning. It's a long hike, Barbara,

but we gotta make it--we gotta, for if daylight finds us in the Piman country we

won't never make it. Anyway," he concluded optimistically, "it's all down hill."

We'll make it, Billy," she replied, "if we can get past the sentry."

What sentry?" asked Billy. "I didn't see no sentry when I come in."

They keep a sentry way down the trail all night," replied the girl. "In the daytime

he is nearer the village--on the top of this bluff, for from here he can see the

whole valley; but at night they station him farther away in a narrow part of the

trail."

"It's a mighty good thing you tipped me off," said Billy; "for I'd a-run right into

him. I thought they was all behind us now."

After that they went more cautiously, and when they reached the part of the trail

where the sentry might be expected to be found, Barbara warned Billy of the fact.

Like two thieves they crept along in the shadow of the canyon wall. Inwardly Billy

cursed the darkness of the night which hid from view everything more than a few

paces from them; yet it may have been this very darkness which saved them,

since it hid them as effectually from an enemy as it hid the enemy from them.

They had reached the point where Barbara was positive the sentry should be. The

girl was clinging tightly to Billy's left arm. He could feel the pressure of her fingers

as they sunk into his muscles, sending little tremors and thrills through his giant

frame. Even in the face of death Billy Byrne could sense the ecstasies of personal

contact with this girl--the only woman he ever had loved or ever would.

And then a black shadow loomed before them, and a rifle flashed in their faces

without a word or a sign of warning.

289

The Mucker