He jerked the horse down with a powerful hand and leaped into the saddle.

Wrangle plunged again, dragging his bridle, that Venters had not had time to throw in place.
Bending over with a swift movement, he secured it and dropped the loop over the pommel.

Then, with grinding teeth, he looked to see what the issue would be.
The band had scattered so as not to afford such a broad mark for bullets.

The riders faced Venters, some with red-belching guns.

He heard a sharper report, and just as Wrangle plunged again he caught the whim of a leaden missile that would have hit him but for Wrangle's sudden jump.