He fired straight in the direction of Hawkins's voice.
In another instant the air was rent with the sound of shots. Flashes
from many revolvers lit up the darkness almost as well as torches could
have done.
Jim Duff, having started his followers to firing, stole off in the
darkness, leaving them to bear the brunt of the return fire of Hawkins
and his men.
George Ashby lay on the ground bound as he had been left, his sawed-off
shotgun not far away and his belt full of shells.
"Rouse yourself, Ash!" muttered the gambler, as he slashed the hotel
man's bonds with his knife. "Get your gun, but don't use it now. Move
quickly, and we'll get away from here and take Reade and Hazelton with
us. Put your mind on your work, Ash, and follow my orders. Don't try
to think too much for yourself. Here, this way!"
The scene of the fighting had already shifted from the immediate
neighborhood of the twin trees. Duff guided his mad companion along in
the darkness until they halted close to where the two engineers stood
bound, powerless to join in the fray.
Pages:
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243