traffic in which these men
were engaged. Yet each knew well enough that the shadow of the rope
was hanging over him, and that, at any moment, he might have to face a
life and death struggle, which would add the crime of murder to the
list of his transgressions.

Will slowly removed his pipe from his mouth.

"Say, ain't that grub ready?" he growled. "Hi, you, Pete, quit those
dice an' see to it. You're 'chores' to-day. We've got to make forty
miles with those damned steers before sun-up to-morrow."

"Ho, you. Git a look at the grub yourself. Say----"

He broke off listening. Then he dropped the dice he was preparing to
throw, and a look of alarm leaped to his eyes. "I tink I hear hoofs.
Hush!"

Will was on his feet in a second. The sullen light had vanished from
his eyes and a startled look of apprehension replaced it.

"Those plugs cinched up?" he demanded sharply. And mechanically his
hand fell on the butt of one of the guns at his waist.

"Sure," nodded the other half-breed.

All three listened acutely. Yes, the sound of galloping was plain to
their trained hearing. The mountains carried a tremendous echo.

Without further words all three men set off at a run for the corral.
Will was the fleetest and reached his horse first. In a second he was
in the saddle and sat waiting, and listening for the next alarming
sound.

"It's Ganly, sure," he muttered, turning one ear in the direction of
the rapidly approaching sound.

"Sounds like dogone 'get out,'" cried Pete, sharply. The shadow of the
rope was very near him at that moment.

The other half-breed nodded.

"Hist!" A sudden fear leaped into Will's eyes. "There's others," he
cried. "Come on, and bad luck to the hindmost! Joe's safe. He can get
clear by the south trail. They can't follow that way. I'm for the
northeast. You best follow. Gee!"

His final exclamation burst from him at the echoing reports of several
rifles. And now the sound of galloping hoofs was very near. The men
waited no longer. Will set spurs into his horse, and the half-breeds,
following him, raced for the northeast exit from the hollow.

But they had waited just a second or two longer than was safe. For, as
they reached the forest path, and were vanishing beneath the shadowy
trees, a fierce yell went up behind them. Pete, looking back over his
shoulder, hissed his alarm to his speeding comrades.

"Ho, boy, it's Doc Crombie, an' a whole gang. An' dey see us, too,
sure. But dey neve