n mustangs, and,
if no accident occur, will soon be alongside them.

Hamersley perceives this, and, casting a glance ahead, calculates the
distance to where the timber again commences. To overtake them before
they can reach it is the thought uppermost in his mind. Once among the
tree-trunks they can go as fast as he, for there the superior fleetness
of his horse will not avail. Besides, there may be a thick underwood,
giving them a chance of concealment.

He must come up with them before they can reach the cover, and to this
end he once more urges his animal both with spur and speech.

At this moment Roblez looking back, perceives there is but one man in
chase of them. A long stretch of open plain in his rear, and no other
pursuer upon it. Brigand though he be, the adjutant possesses real
courage. And there are two of them, in full health and strength, both
armed with sabres, himself carrying a pair of dragoon pistols in his
holsters. Those belonging to Uraga are nearer to the hand of
Hamersley--having been left upon the saddle which the colonel, in his
hasty retreat, had been hindered from occupying.

"_Carajo_!" exclaims Roblez, "there's but one of them after us. The
others haven't had time to get mounted, and won't be up for a while.
It's some rash fool who's got your horse under him. Let's turn upon
him, colonel."

The coward thus appealed to cannot refuse compliance. In an instant the
two wheel round, and, with blades bared, await the approach of the
pursuer.

In a dozen more strides of his horse Hamersley is on the ground. Uraga
now recognises his antagonist in the Chihuahua duel--the man he hates
above all others on earth.

This, hatred, intense as it is, does not supply him with courage. In
the eye of the pursuer coming on, when close up, Uraga reads a terrible
expression--that of the avenger!

Something whispers him his hour has come, and with shrinking heart and
palsied arm he awaits the encounter.

As said, the two Mexican officers carry swords, cavalry sabres. Against
these the Kentuckian has no weapon for parrying or defence. He is but
ill-armed for the unequal strife, having only a Colt's revolver with one
chamber empty, and, as a _dernier ressort_, the single-barrelled pistols
in the holsters.

Quickly perceiving his disadvantage, he checks up before coming too
close, and with his revolver takes aim, and fires at the nearest of his
antagonists, who is Roblez.

The shot tells,