But that sort hasn't the desire for a scrap unless they can
pull it from behind a rock. And, by the same token, they won't last
five minutes in the face of a charge. Get me?"
"But the ginks on the mountain will pick us off pretty lively as we hit
the trail down the slope here," said a thoughtful voice.
Then Norton explained further. He meant to eliminate the other crowd;
it could be done. When he gave the word every man was to jump to his
feet and make the first half of his charge the bloodless one down into
the arroyo toward Brocky Lane. Then, Norton's men and Brocky's united,
they could surge up the creek's banks and make their flying attack,
coming in between the two other factions so that the men on the
mountain must hold their fire or kill as many of their own crowd as of
the others.
The suggestion was accepted without discussion. When Norton said
"Ready," they were ready; when he jumped to his feet and ran down
toward the arroyo, they ran with him. A shout of laughter went up from
each side of the dry water-course as jeering voices announced
triumphantly that the Gringoes were afraid. And with the shouts came
rifle-shots.
But to the last man of them they reached the arroyo safely, and ducking
low, trotted on to join the cowboys. In a moment more Norton had found
Brocky Lane, had explained his plan, had had Brocky's silent nod for an
answer.
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