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There are two hundred of them," he cried. "Run for cover!"

Billy and the Clark brothers leaped to their saddles and spurred toward the point

where Bridge sat pumping lead into the advancing enemy. Mason and Mr.

Harding hurried Barbara to the questionable safety of the ranchhouse. The

Mexican followed them, and Bridge ordered Sing back to assist in barricading the

doors and windows, while he and Billy and the Clark boys held the bandits in

momentary check.

Falling back slowly and firing constantly as they came the four approached the

house while Pesita and his full band advanced cautiously after them. They had

almost reached the house when Bridge lunged forward from his saddle. The Clark

boys had dismounted and were leading their ponies inside the house. Billy alone

noted the wounding of his friend. Without an instant's hesitation he slipped from

his saddle, ran back to where Bridge lay and lifted him in his arms. Bullets were

pattering thick about them. A horseman far in advance of his fellows galloped

forward with drawn saber to cut down the gringos.

Billy, casting an occasional glance behind, saw the danger in time to meet it--

just, in fact, as the weapon was cutting through the air toward his head.

Dropping Bridge and dodging to one side he managed to escape the cut, and

before the swordsman could recover Billy had leaped to his pony's side and

seizing the rider about the waist dragged him to the ground.

"Rozales!" he exclaimed, and struck the man as he had never struck another in

all his life, with the full force of his mighty muscles backed by his great weight,

with clenched fist full in the face.

There was a spurting of blood and a splintering of bone, and Captain Guillermo

Rozales sank senseless to the ground, his career of crime and rapine ended

forever.

Again Billy lifted Bridge in his arms and this time he succeeded in reaching the

ranchhouse without opposition though a little crimson stream trickled down his

left arm to drop upon the face of his friend as he deposited Bridge upon the floor

of the house.

All night the Pesitistas circled the lone ranchhouse. All night they poured their

volleys into the adobe walls and through the barricaded windows. All night the

little band of defenders fought gallantly for their lives; but as day approached the

futility of their endeavors was borne in upon them, for of the nine one was dead

and three wounded, and the numbers of their assailants seemed undiminished.

300

The Mucker