Their sharp yells, as much as his cruel spurs, drove his horse into that pace which now meant life or death for him.

And never had Duane bestrode a gamer, swifter, stancher beast.

He seemed about to accomplish the impossible.

In the dragging sand he was far superior to any horse in pursuit, and on this sandy open stretch he gained enough to spare a little in the brush beyond.

Heated now and thoroughly terrorized, he kept the pace through thickets that almost tore Duane from his saddle.