They heard behind them the noise of the pursuit, spread now over a wide area.
"If only these hills continue to rise and to rise fast," gasped Obed White, "we may get away among the rocks and bushes." There was a rapid tread of hoofs, and two lancers, with their long weapons leveled, galloped straight at them.

Obed leaped to one side, but Ned, so startled that he lost command of himself, stopped and stood still.

He saw one of the men bearing down upon him, the steel of the lance head glittering in the sunlight, and instinctively he closed his eyes.

He heard a sharp crack, something seemed to whistle before his face, and then came a cry which he knew was the death cry of a man.

He had shut his eyes only for a moment, and when he opened them he saw the Mexican falling to the ground, where he lay motionless across his lance.
Obed White stood near, and his rifle yet smoked.