Indians and the advance
guard of the rescue party became general as the scout rode back to
report.

Captain Marshall hurried to the front with his first band of fighters,
the cowboys and our youthful heroes being bidden to remain where they
were until the officer had made an observation. In a little while
Captain Marshall came back.

"It will be their last stand!" he exclaimed.

"How so?" asked Snake.

"Well, they're there with their backs to the wall. They can't get out
at the rear and we're here in front to stop them if they come this way.
It will be a fight to a finish!"

And as the boy ranchers wondered at the fate of Rosemary and Floyd
there came from the front a burst of firing.

CHAPTER XXIV

THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY

Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United
States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against
the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers. The latter
would have been defeated almost at once for the Indians had picked out
an admirable place in which to make their last stand.

They had retreated into the mountains, along a trail that only the most
hardy could follow. Then, finding, as they doubtless did, that their
pursuers were ever at their heels, they hastened to what was,
virtually, a natural fortress--a nook among the rocky walls of the
defile. From there they shot at the approaching troopers and cowboys.

"No useless risks!" ordered Captain Marshall, as he and his men came up
to the attack.

The Yaquis had several distinct advantages in their favor. They were
up above the rescuers and could fire down on them, while the boy
ranchers and their friends had not only to fight but to climb up, and
the latter was a handicap.

Then the Indians had what was almost like a rocky fort to protect them,
while those making the attack had to approach pretty much in the open.
Of course there were rocks that could be used as cover, but these were
so scattered that it prevented the approach of the men in a body.
Individuals could creep from rock to rock, and so advance, but there
could be no concerted rush against the Yaquis, and that was what was
needed to overcome them.

However the fight was only in its early stages yet, and, like a
football game, one could not tell what would happen until the final
whistle was blown. Captain Marshall was a veteran fighter and could be
depended on. His men realized this, and so did the outfit