Nort suddenly, as a figure
burst into sight. "Something must be the matter!"

They spurred their horses toward the Kid, and met him half way.

"What is it?" Hawkins asked sharply.

"Billee Dobb!" Yellin' Kid panted. "He's--" It was an ominous pause.

"Not so loud! Easy!"

"It's Billee!" the Kid exclaimed in a lower voice. "They shot him!"

"Shot him! Is he dead?"

"Not yet. Looks pretty bad. Bleedin' hard. By golly, let's go after
those yellow sneaks, an' get 'em!"

"Shot Billee Dobb," Nort said slowly, as though he couldn't believe it.
"Poor old Billee! Well--" he looked up sharply. "Let's go!"

The boy's lips were closed grimly. In his eyes shone a wild light.
Whatever quarter would have been extended to the smugglers before, they
could expect none now. The chase had turned--had changed into a
personal venture. They had been seeking the capture of the smugglers
because it had been their duty. Now----

"Men," Hawkins spoke in a low voice, clipping his words, "let's get
started. We got work to do!"

There was not another word spoken. Belts were tightened, and guns
loosened in their holsters. Dawn was just breaking. The three men
closed in on the ranch house in silence.

CHAPTER XXII

FLYING BULLETS

Finally Nort spoke.

"What about Billee?" he asked.

"Dick's taking care of him as best he can. Poor old geezer--" the Kid
bit his lip sharply. "He told me--he was sorry it happened, 'cause now
he'll miss the fun."

"How did he look, Kid? I mean----"

"Can't tell, Nort. He's hit pretty bad. Course we don't know for
sure--he's pretty old, you know----"

"But tough as a board," Hawkins broke in. "I know his kind. Don't
worry boys. I'm sure he'll pull through O. K. Kid, is Bud coming with
us?"

"Said he'd be right here. Want to wait he comes, before going closer?"

There was a halt in the determined march toward the ranch house. There
seemed to be but little formal plan in the boys' attack; simply to "get
those guys an' get 'em good," as the Kid expressed it. But now that
the first shock of learning of Billee's wound had passed, all realized
how hopeless it would be to simply go up and take Delton. Some sort of
a scheme of attack was necessary if anything was to be accomplished.

"Here's Bud now," Hawkins said as the boy rancher rode toward them.
There was a sober look on his face.

"How goes it?" the Kid asked, anxiously.

"Pretty fair. He's got a chance,