e goal where both would be, and there was none
to dispute with them the doubtful honor. Even those who had stampeded
at the first yell of alarm were now reining back in broad, sweeping
circle, unslinging the ready rifle and pouring in a long-range fire on
the distant rank of cavalry, just bursting into the triumph of the
charge. Here, there, and everywhere across the plain little puffs of
blue-white smoke were shooting up, telling of the leaden missiles
hurled at the charging line. But on like the wind came the troopers in
blue, never pausing to fire a shot, their leader at racing speed.

Wounded though he was, Pasqual Morales was not the man to fail in the
fight. Yelling orders and curses at his driver, he succeeded in
getting him to control his frantic team just long enough to enable the
outlaw captain to tumble out. Then away they dashed again, the
stiffening body of Ramon and the weighty little safe being now sole
occupants of the interior. In the mad excitement of the first rush two
or three horses had broken loose, leaving their owners afoot, and
believing that no quarter would be the rule, these abandoned roughs
were fighting to the last, selling their lives, as they called it, as
dearly as possible. From their rifles and from others the shots rained
fast upon the troopers, but never seemed to check the charge. The rush
was glorious. Drawing their revolvers now, for they carried no sabres,
the soldiers fired as they rode down those would-be obstructers, and
two poor wretches were flattened out upon the plain when the main body
of the troop dashed by, making straight for the fleeing Concord with
the white canvas top. Drummond had not fired at all. Every thought was
concentrated on the occupants of the wagon. Every shot might be needed
when he got to them. "Chester" was running grandly. The designated
four who were to follow the lieutenant were already over a hundred
yards behind when, from the trail of the ambulance, from a little
patch of cactus, there came a flash and report, and the beautiful
horse swerved, reeled, but pushed gamely on. Noting the spot, two of
the following troopers emptied a cartridge into the clump, but left
the lurking foe to be looked after later. They were too close to the
Concord to think of anything else,--so close they could hear the cries
and pleadings of a woman's voice, the terrified scream of another, and
then, all on a sudden, "Chester" pitched heavily forward, and, even as
the wag