Then a noise sent him to a loophole, where he fired two shots at skulking figures some distance off.

A fusillade of bullets replied; one of them ripped through the door at a weak spot and drilled a hole in a can of the everlasting peaches.
Hopalong set the can in the frying pan and then flitted from loophole to loophole, shooting quick and straight.

Several curses told him that he had not missed, and he scooped up a finger of peach juice.

Shots thudded into the walls of his fort in an unceasing stream, and, as it grew lighter, several whizzed through the loopholes.

He kept close to the earth and waited for the rush, and when it came sent it back, minus two of its members.
As he reloaded his Colts a bullet passed through his shirt sleeve and he promptly nailed the marksman.