But before matters had a chance to go very far we were brought up all
standing by the sound of shots outside. A rush started in that
direction: but immediately Buck Johnson asserted his authority and took
command. He did not intend to have his men shot unnecessarily.

By now it was pitch dark. A reconnaissance disclosed a little battle
going on down toward the water corrals. Two of our men, straying in that
direction, had been fired upon. They had promptly gone down on their
bellies and were shooting back.

"I think they've got down behind the water troughs," one of these men
told me as I crawled up alongside. "Cain't say how many there is. They
shore do spit fire considerable. I'm just cuttin' loose where I see the
flash. When I shoot, you prepare to move and move lively. One of those
horned toads can sure shoot some; and it ain't healthy to linger none
behind your own flash."

The boys, when I crawled back with my report, were eager to pile in and
rush the enemy.

"Just put us a hoss-back, señor," pleaded Windy Bill, "and we'll run
right over them like a Shanghai rooster over a little green snake. They
can't hit nothing moving fast in the dark."

"You'll do just what I say," rejoined Buck Johnson, fiercely. "Cow hands
are scarce, and I don't aim to lose one except in the line of business.
If any man gets shot to-night, he's out of luck. He'd better get shot
good and dead; or he'll wish he had been. That goes! There can't be but
a few of those renegades out there, and we'll tend to them in due order.