did not like it either. To kill a man on the frontier then in fair
fight was a misdemeanor. To steal a horse was a capital offense. Many a
bronco thief ended his life at the end of a rope in the hands of
respectable citizens who had in the way of business snuffed out the lives
of other respectable citizens. Both of the Flying VY riders knew that if
they were caught with the stock, it would be of no avail with Sanders to
plead that they had no intention of stealing. Possession would be _prima
facie_ evidence of guilt.

"It's too late to go back now," Prince decided.

"We'll travel night an' day till we reach the old man an' have him send
the bones back. I hate to do it, but we have no choice. Anyhow, we might
as well be hanged for stealin' a horse as for anything else."

They topped a hill and came face to face with a rider traveling town
ward. His gaze took in the animals carrying the fugitives and jumped to
the face of Billie. In the eyes of the man was an expression blended of
suspicion and surprise. He passed with a nod and a surly "'Evenin'."

"Fine luck we're havin', Billie," commented his friend with a little
laugh. "I give Sanders twenty minutes to be on our trail."

Chapter XI

The Fugitives

Through the gathering darkness Prince watched the figure of his companion
droop. The slim, lithe body sagged and the shoulders were heavy with
exhaustion. Both small hands clung to the pommel of the saddle. It took
no prophet to see that in his present condition the wounded man would
never travel the gun-barrel road as far as the dust of the Flying V Y
herd. Even by easy stages he could not do it, and with pursuit thundering
at their heels the ride would be a cruel, grilling one.

"How about pullin' a little strategy on Sanders, Jim? Instead of hittin'
the long trail, let's circle back around the town, strike the river, make
camp, an' lie low in the chaparral. Does that listen good to you?"

Young Clanton looked at his friend suspiciously. The younger man was
fagged out and in a good deal of pain. The jolting of the pony's
movements jarred the bandages on the wound. Already his fever was high
and he had moments of light-headedness. He knew that his partner was
proposing to jeopardize his own chances of escape in order to take care
of him.

"No, sir. We'll keep goin' right ahead," he said irritably. "Think I'm a
quitter? Think I'm goin' to lie down on you?"

"Would I be likely to think that?" asked Billi