The five deputies kept up a dropping fire. But the two behind the breastwork replied infrequently. Ammunition must be conserved. They anticipated brisk work after nightfall. They waited, vigorously chewing pebbles, and becoming thirstier by the minute. The boulders radiated heat like ovens.
The afternoon lengthened. It was nearing five o'clock when Loudon suddenly raised his head.
"Where was that rifle?" he inquired, sharply.
"Ovair yondair--not on de ridge," replied Laguerre.
"That's what I thought. Maybe--there she goes again. Two of 'em."
The rifles on the ridge snarled angrily. But no bullets struck the breastwork. The barking of the deputies' rifles became irregular, drifted southward, then ceased altogether. A few minutes later five horsemen and a led horse crossed the draw a mile to the south.
"Yuh bet yuh," said Laguerre. "See dat! One of 'em tumble off."
"They're gettin' him aboard again. Takin' our hosses along, the skunks! There goes our friend out yonder."
The man who had been watching the rear of the breast-work galloped to meet his friends. Five minutes later they all disappeared behind one of the western hills.
"Hey, you fellers!" bawled a voice from the shelter of the ridge across the valley. "Where are yuh, anyway?"
"That's Red Kane," laughed Loudon, and stood up. "Here we are!" he yelled. "C'mon over! We're all right. Not a scratch!"
Red Kane and Hockling, leading three horses, appeared on the crest of the ridge.
"Found him hid right pretty in a gully," said Hockling, indicating the extra horse.
Marvin nodded surlily. He had had his share of the water in the rescuers' canteens, but he was no happier.
"It's shore providential, yore happenin' down this way," said Loudon. "We'll do as much for you some day."
"Yo're welcome, but it ain't none providential, Tom," denied Hockling. "Me an' Red was fixin' the corral fence at the camp when up come Kate Saltoun on the jump an' says how yuh was standin' off six men opposite Box Hill. 'It's them deputies!' shouts Red, an' ropes a hoss immediate. Well, we come along, the three of us, an' that's all. It was long range, but I think I drilled one deputy. Red creased one, too."
"Yuh bet I did!" cried Red Kane. "I seen his arm flop when I fired."