Hal drew rein.

“Dismount!” he cried.

His command was obeyed instantly.

Taking his horse by the head, Hal led him in among the trees.  The others followed his lead.

“When they get by, we’ll go forward again,” said Hal.

They waited silently.

A few moments later the pursuers flashed by, going at a rapid gallop.  When they were out of sight, Hal led his horse to the road, as did the others, and all mounted.

“We’ll follow them,” said the lad.  “We’ll have to keep our ears open, though, for they are likely to turn almost any time.”

An hour later, rounding a turn in the road, Colonel Anderson, who was in advance, checked his horse suddenly.  The others also drew up sharply.

“What’s the matter?” asked Hal.

For answer Colonel Anderson pointed down the road.

There, probably half a mile away, were their pursuers, stationary.

“What do you suppose they are waiting for?” demanded Chester.

The answer came from an unexpected source.

From beyond the pursuers arose a puff of smoke, followed by a faint report.  It was the sound of a revolver.

“They’ve bumped into another enemy of some kind,” said Chester.  “Wonder how strong this new force is?”

“Can’t be very strong or those fellows would be heading this way,” declared Hal.  “Maybe they think it’s us.”

“That’s about the size of it,” declared Colonel Anderson.

There was another puff of smoke at this moment, and one of the enemy fell.

“Bully for you, whoever you are,” shouted Chester.  “Say!” he added, “what’s the matter with taking them in the rear?  They haven’t spotted us yet.”

“I was thinking of that,” said Colonel Anderson.  “Guess it can be done all right.  Will your horse carry double that far, Hal?”

“He’ll have to,” replied the lad grimly.

“Good.  Are you ready?”

“When you give the word.”

“Then charge!”

Down the road at a rapid gallop went the three horses, carrying the four friends.

Hal, Colonel Anderson and Nikol each guided their mounts with their left hands, flourishing their revolvers in the right.  Chester held fast to Hal with his left and also flourished a revolver with his free hand.

Nearer and nearer they came upon their unsuspecting enemies, who still stood where they had been when first discovered.  Occasionally one fired his revolver at the spot from which shots came at frequent intervals now.

“Wonder why those fellows beyond don’t charge, now that they must see us coming,” muttered Hal to himself.

He watched the puffs of smoke as they came at intervals, and he was suddenly struck by an idea.

“By Jove!” he shouted, to make himself heard, “I’ll bet there is only one man there.  That’s why the shots are so far apart.”

“Well, we’re pretty evenly matched,” said Chester.  “There are only six of them in condition to fight.”