control. His head was bent and he was still fumbling at something. The
distance was too great for us to make out what, but that much we could
see.

On flew the stallion at undiminished speed. He was running blind; and
seemingly nothing could save him from a crash. But at almost the last
moment the great doors swung back. Those within had indeed realized the
situation and were meeting it. At the same instant Brower rose in his
stirrups and brought his arm forward in a wide, free swing. A blinding
glare flashed across the world. We felt the thud and heave of a
tremendous explosion. Dust obliterated everything.

"Charge, you coyotes! Charge!" shrieked Buck Johnson.

And at full speed, shrieking like fiends, we swept across flats.




CHAPTER XVI


There was no general resistance. We tumbled pell mell through the breach
into the courtyard, encountering only terror-stricken wretches who
cowered still dazed by the unexpectedness and force of the explosion. In
the excitement order and command were temporarily lost. The men swarmed
through the ranch buildings like locusts. Señor Buck Johnson and the
other old timers let them go; but I noticed they themselves scattered
here and there keeping a restraining eye on activities. There was to be
no looting: and that was early made plain.