CHAPTER XVI.
SHUT OFF FROM THE WORLD Five horsemen belonging to the field party rode in furiously, Matt Rice at their head.
"It's a shame," yelled Rice, as he threw himself from his horse.
"I'd have stayed behind---so would the others---if we had had rifles with us.

The scoundrels kept up a fire at a quarter of a mile range.
Then we passed the men who are carrying Reynolds---they're almost here now---but it wouldn't have done any good for us to stand by them.
We'd have made the other party only a bigger mark.

Where are the revolvers, Reader?
We've got to make a stand here.

We can't run away and leave our camp to fall into their hands." "We're not going to run away," said Reade grimly.

"But I'll tell you what a half dozen of you can do.