at moment and uttered a
cry. This told the others following that the prey had been sighted and
they dashed forward.

"Come as fast as you can, Stubbs," shouted Hal. "We've got to get out
of sight."

In the distance Hal saw a solitary figure standing before a tent. He knew
that this figure had seen him and decided that the man must be disposed
of before he could give the alarm, Therefore, he headed straight for him.

As he ran, Hal expected every moment that the figure before the tent
would open fire on him and his own revolver was held ready should the
man's first shot go wild. Hal did not wish to fire if he could
possibly avoid it.

Close behind Hal, Stubbs panted and puffed along. Once Hal was forced to
reduce his speed in order that Stubbs might keep up with him. The little
man was doing his best, but his short legs were not built to maintain a
pace that Hal could set. Besides, he had long since lost his youthfulness
and he could not run as he had done in his earlier days.

"I can't go much farther, Hal," he gasped.

"Just a little ways, Stubbs," Hal urged him on. "See that man in the tent
there? That's where we'll hide. I'll knock him out if he doesn't get me
first. The fool! He is taking a long chance. He should fire."

At that moment there came a fusillade of shots from behind.

In his anxiousness to get the man in the door of the tent out of the way,
Hal had continued a straight course longer than he had realized; and this
had allowed the pursuers to come within sight again. There was nothing to
do but make the best of it now.

Hal dashed straight for the figure in the tent.

Drawing close, Hal raised his revolver, reversed, and held it ready to
bring down on the figure's head the moment they should come together.
There was a sudden exclamation from the figure in the tent; and with it
Hal dropped his arm; the exclamation was a single word:

"Hal!"

CHAPTER XXVII

A HARD BLOW TO THE ENEMY

It was the voice of Chester.

Hal stopped abruptly. Stubbs also panted up and came to a halt.

"What on earth are you doing here, Chester?" asked Hal.

For answer Chester pointed to the men who were pursuing his friends.

"Are those fellows after you?" he asked.

"Yes," was Hal's answer.

"Then let's get away from here," said Chester. "Come on."

He took to his heels and Hal and Stubbs followed him. Gaining his
friend's side, Hal, in a few quick words, explained his plan as he had
outlined it t