For a few minutes the trail was a scene of swift action, indeed.

Shortly Eb and Josh tried to run away, as Gage had done, but each time the young engineers caught them and compelled them to renew the fight.
"My man's going to sleep, now, Harry!" Tom called, and drove in a knockout blow with his left.
Josh swiftly followed Eb to the ground.
"They'll keep quiet for a little while," declared Tom, after a look at each.
Dolph Gage had by this time painfully risen to his feet and came limping slowly down the trail.
"You might look after your friends, Gage," Tom called, pointing.
"They need attention." "How did they come to be here ?" gasped Dolph.
"They'll give you full particulars when they have time," Tom laughed.
"You boys won't feel quite so smart when our turn comes," snarled Gage.
"Not a bit," Reade answered.

"If you fellows have any sense you'll conclude that you've had about all the settlement that you can stand." Gage didn't make any answer.

Doubtless he concluded that it wouldn't be wise to talk back So he began working over Eb and Josh, until they showed signs of reviving.
"Did ye---did ye kill 'em for us, Dolph ?" gasped Josh, as he opened his eyes and beheld the face of his comrade.
"No," said Gage curtly.
"Why not ?" "Shut up!" Not many minutes more had passed when Eb became conscious.
"You fellows can go over to your camp, any time you want," suggested Tom.
Slowly, painfully, the trio started.
"I feel almost ashamed of myself," Harry muttered.
"So do I," Tom agreed.

"Yet what else was there for us to do! We've stood all the nonsense we can from that crowd.