With a hoarse cry to his followers, he crashed his pickaxe into the brain of Marshall, who stood near him, and sprang forward.

Three or four shots were exchanged.

Two of his men fell, a bullet from Stacy's rifle pierced Steptoe's leg, and he dropped forward on one knee.

He heard the steps of his reinforcements with their weapons coming close behind him, and rolled aside on the sloping ledge to let them pass.

But he rolled too far.