Afraid of the long rifle--a burdensome weapon seldom carried by rustlers or riders--they had been put to rout.
Suddenly Venters discovered that one of the two men last noted was riding Jane Withersteen's horse Bells--the beautiful bay racer she had given to Lassiter.

Venters uttered a savage outcry.

Then the small, wiry, frog-like shape of the second rider, and the ease and grace of his seat in the saddle--things so strikingly incongruous--grew more and more familiar in Venters's sight.
"Jerry Card!" cried Venters.
It was indeed Tull's right-hand man.

Such a white hot wrath inflamed Venters that he fought himself to see with clearer gaze.
"It's Jerry Card!" he exclaimed, instantly.

"And he's riding Black Star and leading Night!" The long-kindling, stormy fire in Venters's heart burst into flame.