eyewitness, for the trail was plain. The assassins had waited in the
chaparral for Johnny to pass, probably having seen him riding that
way. When he had passed and his back had been turned to them they had
fired and wounded him severely at the first volley, for Johnny was of
the stuff that fights back and his revolvers had showed full chambers
and clean barrels when Red had examined them in the bunk house. Then
they had given chase for a short distance and, from some inexplicable
motive, probably fear, they had turned and ridden off without knowing
how bad he was hit. It was this trail that led to the northwest, and
it was this trail that they followed without pausing.

When they had covered fifty miles they sighted the Cross Bar O ranch
where they hoped to secure fresh mounts. As they rode up to the ranch
house the owner, Bud Wallace, came around the corner and saw them.

"Hullo, boys! What deviltry are yu up to now?" he asked. Buck
leaped from his mount, followed by the others, and shoved his sombrero
back on his head as he started to remove the saddle.

"We're trailin' a bunch of murderers. They ambushed Johnny an' blame
near killed him. I stopped here to get fresh cayuses."

"Yu did right!" replied Wallace heartily. Then raising his voice he
shouted to some of his men who were near the corral to bring up the
seven best horses they could rope. Then he told the cook to bring out
plenty of food and drink.

"I got four punchers what ain't doin' nothin' but eat," he
suggested.