In another instant the two men behind had fired and Obadiah fell forward upon his face.
With a yell of rage Nathaniel leaped from the door.

He heard Marion cry out his name, but his fighting blood was stirred and he did not stop.
Obadiah had given up his life for him, for Marion, and he was mad with a desire to wreak vengeance upon the murderers.

The first man lay where he had fallen, with Obadiah's bullet through his back.

The other two fired again as Nathaniel rushed down upon them.

He heard the zip of one of the balls, which came so close that it stung his cheek.
"Take that!" he cried.
He fired, still running--once, twice, three times and one of the two men crumpled down as though a powerful blow had broken his legs under him.
The other turned into the path and ran.