Indeed they attained the rock shelter almost together, creeping up through a narrow crevasse, leaving a wet trail along the grey stone.

This was accomplished none too soon, a yell from the bank telling of their discovery, followed by the crack of a gun.

The marshal, who was still exposed, hastily crept under cover, wiping a drop of blood from his cheek where a splinter of rock dislodged by the bullet had slashed the flesh.

He was, nevertheless, in excellent humour, his keen grey eyes laughing, as he peered out over the rock rampart.
"If they keep up shootin' like that, Jim, I reckon our insurance won't be high," he said, "I'm plumb ashamed of the camp, the way them boys waste lead.

Must 'a' took twenty shots at us so far an' only skinned me with a rock.