More men came to the Double Arrow and its sentries were doubled.

The depredations continued, however, and one night a week later Frank Swift reeled into the ranch-house and fell exhausted across the supper table.

Rolling hoof-beats echoed flatly and died away on the plain, but the men who pursued them returned empty handed.

The wounds of the unfortunate were roughly dressed and in his delirium he recounted the fight.

His companion was found literally shot to pieces twenty paces from the door.