He was angry at the way Patches had tricked him into betraying both himself and his evil master, and he saw a way to defeat the two cowboys and at the same time win Nick's approval.

Quickly the fellow mounted his horse, and, before they could stop him, was out of sight in the timber.
"I've done it now," exclaimed Patches in dismay.

"I forgot all about Joe." "I don't think he counts for much in this game anyway," returned Phil, gruffly.
As he spoke, the foreman turned his back to Patches and walked toward his gun.

He had reached the spot where the weapon lay on the ground, when, from the bushes to the right, and a little back of Patches, who stood watching his companion, a shot rang out with startling suddenness.
Patches saw Phil stumble forward, straighten for an instant, as though by sheer power of his will, and, turning, look back at him.

Then, as Phil fell, the unarmed cowboy leaped forward toward that gun on the ground.