ing the entrance into the gully. Jim and Juarez were nearest to
the foot of the hill, backed by Jo and Jeems. They did not have long
to wait, though the twenty minutes seemed like several hours to Jo and
Jeems, before there were signs of the approach of Gus Gols and his
gang.

Very carefully they came up the gully, with the tall giant in the lead
and Eph close at his heels; behind them came three of the Mexicans,
but where was Edgar, and the other four? Perhaps the boss was afraid
lest the flashing diamond that Ed always wore in his shirt bosom might
give their presence away. But without joking, it was strange that
these five were not with the main party. It was hardly likely that Big
Gus would leave that number with the horses. Where were they? We
shall find out in a few minutes.

"Don't you reckon those fellows have had time to make their move?"
whispered Gus to his henchman Eph. They had halted in the darkness of
the gully, about two hundred and fifty yards from the foot of the
hill.

"Ed's pretty quick," replied Eph. "He said that he wouldn't take more
than a quarter of an hour."

"I'll give him five minutes' leeway," said Gus. "Then we will jump
these fellows." In a short time he looked at his watch by the quick
flare of a match that showed his red, evil face with the squinting
blue eyes.

"All ready now, boys," he said in a low significant tone. "Give 'em
the lead, but don't shoot the horses."

As ill luck would have it, Jeems Howell, who was highest up on the
hill, caught the first glimpse of the outlaws as they advanced up the
gully. How it occurred he never could explain, but his rifle went off
before he could aim. Instantly the gang dropped behind the bank and
opened fire upon the hill.

One volley had crashed out from Jim, Juarez and Jo, when Tom's
agonized voice rang out:

"Quick, boys, they are coming up the other side!"

The Frontier Boys had been outgeneraled. There was no question about
that, and they were in deadly peril. There was nothing for them to do
but to retreat to the stockade before it was too late.

"Come, boys!" cried Jim, and away they dashed up the side of the hill
with Gus Gols and his crew in close pursuit. The bullets swept with
deadly zing near them as they ran. As they neared the stockade Ed and
his men came into view from the opposite side of the hill. Jim and
Juarez dropped behind a rock and fired at the foremost of the crowd
and they took to cover. Then they two got in