The automatic sent a hail of bullets toward the opening, and
Downs fell limply across the window-ledge. At the fusillade
of shots the outlaws came to the corner of the hut and glanced
fearfully about. The square of light before the windows showed
Big Bob lying on the ground and Downs hanging, head downward,
from the window. Their natural supposition was that the hut
had been attacked by a large force, so they took to their heels
and were seen no more by the boys.
After a minute devoted to Black Bear hugs, and handshakes,
and words of congratulation over his escape, the boys left
Fremont in the shelter of the darkness and advanced to where
Big Bob lay.
"It is all off with me, lads!" the big fellow said, as he
turned his face to the boys. "I can't walk, for he shot me
through the back. Will you get me into the hut?"
"Sure!" replied Jimmie. "You're pretty tough as a human
proposition, but we can't see you suffer out here in the rain."
"Before you go any further," the man said, then, "see if Downs
is dead. If I didn't get him right, he'll kill some one before he dies."
Nestor and Frank walked over to the body and made a quick examination.
"Stone dead," they said. "He never knew what hit him!"
"I am glad of that," Big Bob said. "Now get me into the hut."
The wounded man was carried into the hut and laid down on a heap
of coats before the fire. It was easy to see that he was fatally
injured, and the boys gathered about him with pale faces.
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