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Billy stopped long enough to shake the water out of his carbine, which the girl had carried across, and then forged ahead toward the ranchhouse from which the sounds of battle came now in increased volu" The e realized that some of the attackers had reached the veranda he called the surviving Mexican and the Chinaht stand a better chance to repel this new attack Mr Harding he persuaded to re to force an entrance Already one panel had splintered, and as Bridge entered the rooh the hole they had h the aperture There was a scream as one of the attackers dropped; but the others only increased their efforts, their oaths, and their threats of vengeance

The three defenders poured a few rounds through the sagging door, then Bridge noted that the Chinaonee," replied Sing, pointing to his ammunition belt

At the same instant the Mexican thren his carbine and rushed for aon the opposite side of the room His ae Flight seee lad to fly, too; but he could not leave Anthony Harding, and he was sure that the older ht on foot

"You better go, too, Sing," he said to the China more that you can do, and it may be that they are all on this side now--I think they are You fellows have fought splendidly Wish I could give you so more substantial than thanks; but that's all I have now and shortly Pesita won't even leavecheerfully, and a second later he was clah thein the wake of the loyal Mexican

And then the door crashed in and half a dozen troopers followed by Pesita hi at the foot of the stairs, his carbine clubbed, for he had just spent his last bullet He knew that he must die; but he was determined to make them purchase his life as dearly as he could, and to die in defense of Anthony Harding, the father of the girl he loved, even though hopelessly