At intervals along the lower strands of barbed wire bells had been hung.

Next came a volley of shots, from the hills, which had been sought by the sheepmen under the cover of the night.

They were firing toward the sound of the bells.

The firing was not well-directed, but it was steady and dangerous.
It is doubtful whether the attackers could have cut their way through the fence, handicapped as they were, but they had no chance to try, for just then a third thing happened.

A cloud-obscured moon had been climbing the eastern hills, and at that moment the clouds parted and the entire valley was bathed in moonlight.
The light was peaceful and beautiful, but it brought a deadly effect.
Not only did it reveal the cattlemen to their enemies in the hills, but to those in the distant ranch house, as well.