ing ground at the rear of each
party prevented the chance of a rapid retreat, and it was evident that
the fight would go to a "finish."

Just how large the party of Yaquis was could not be told, but Captain
Marshall believed he had more men than were rallied to the support of
Paz, the notorious leader of the Mexicans.

"But I haven't seen Rosemary or Floyd," remarked Nort, as he wormed
himself into a hollow place behind a rock, not far from Dick and Bud.

"Well, they are probably back in the rear. That's where they generally
keep their captives," explained Dick. "If they see the fight going
against them they'll send word back and some party will scoot out with
our friends."

"Then we'll have the chasing to do all over again," ruefully observed
Nort.

"Oh, I guess Captain Marshall knows a trick or two," commented Bud.
"Look, he's sending some of his men out now to try and get in the rear
of the Yaquis."

Dick and Nort turned to see a detachment of the troopers making their
way on hands and knees out among the rocks. Their object was what Bud
had stated--to get in the rear of the Indians and not only attack them
from that vantage point but also to prevent a retreat with the
captives, in case Rosemary and Floyd were at that point.

And now the fight began in earnest.

With each party in a position advantageous to it the first few minutes
of attack and defense were marked only by firing that accomplished
nothing.

That is to say there was an exchange of bullets, most of which
spattered against the rooks, sending up sprays of vicious lead or
showers of pulverized stone, but inflicting no dangerous wounds. One
of the troopers was temporarily blinded by some of this stone dust
getting into his eyes when a bullet struck the rock just over his head,
and several others, including Lieutenant Snow, were "creased" by
bullets when they exposed an arm or leg. But these were only trifles
in the day's adventure.

If the Yaquis were not as romantic, tricky and brave as the old Apaches
or Sioux, they were no quitters, and they seemed to be well directed.
For after the first scattered firing on their part, they began a
fusillade which increased in intensity.

"They aren't saving ammunition," commented Snake, as he drew a quick
sight on an exposed head, and had the satisfaction of seeing it drop
back out of sight in a manner that told of a hit.

"I guess they know it's a case of shoot or be shot," remarked Yellin'
Kid,