"By Jove!" he shouted, to make himself heard, "I'll bet there is only one
man there. That's why the shots are so far apart."

"Well, we're pretty evenly matched," said Chester. "There are only six of
them in condition to fight."

"Five," said Hal suddenly, as another of the enemy pitched suddenly to
the ground, a shot from beyond having struck him.

"See! they are going to charge him!" cried Chester, peering over his
friend's shoulder.

It was true. The enemy had spread out as much as the road would permit
and the man who appeared to be the leader raised his hand.

"We'll have to stop that," muttered Hal.

He raised his voice in a shout, which carried plainly to the foe.

The five men wheeled about suddenly and for the first time saw they were
beset in the rear as well as in front. For a moment they hesitated, then
turned and charged the new arrivals.

"Keep going!" shouted Hal. "And don't miss!"

The enemy fired first, but all the shots went wild. Suddenly Nikol
checked his horse, took deliberate aim and fired. A rider fell to the
ground. The range was still great, but Nikol's aim was true. A second man
dropped at his second bullet.