A shot from Venters, which missed the man but sent the dust flying over him made him run back to his horse.

Then they separated.

The crippled rider went one way; the one frustrated in his attempt to get the carbine rode another, Venters thought he made out a third rider, carrying a strange-appearing bundle and disappearing in the sage.

But in the rapidity of action and vision he could not discern what it was.

Two riders with three horses swung out to the right.