"Then it was Duff--he was one of 'em," returned Jeff, with a strong
conviction. "From what I've seen of Duff to-night he'd rather do a
running trick than a fighting one."
"It would take two to carry both youngsters away. Who was the other
one?" Rafe wondered aloud.
"Most likely the fellow who'd mind Duff best."
"That must mean poor George Ashby."
"Let's slip into the gully and see what we can find."
One fact learned in the gully astonished both investigators. Despite
the volleys that had been fired no dead or wounded men lay about. Of
course Hawkins could have taken any injured men away in the automobiles.
Plainly the raiders had been equally fortunate in getting their wounded
away on their horses. Mounted men familiar with the desert would know
many paths where horses could travel, but where automobiles could not
follow.
"Our hosses are gone," discovered Jeff a few moments.
"Of course," nodded Rafe. "The crowd we were out with wouldn't be slow
in a simple little piece of every-day honesty like stealing hosses!"
"I'm through with any such gang after this, Rafe.
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