The boys were greatly alarmed at this, but, putting his mouth close to Davie Dunn’s ear, Billy Cody whispered: 

“Davie, you see that shutter in the end of the roof?”

“Yes, Billy,” was the trembling reply.

“Well, you slip out of there, drop to the ground and make for your home and tell your father who is here.”

“And you, Billy?”

“I’ll just keep here, and if these fellows attempt to go I’ll shoot ’em.”

“But you can’t, Billy.”

“I’ve got my revolver, Davie and you bet I’ll use it!  Go, but don’t make a fuss, and get your father to come on with the settlers as soon as you can, for I won’t be happy till you get back.”

Davie Dunn was trembling considerably; but he arose noiselessly, crossed to the window at the end of the roof, and which was but a small aperture, closed by a wooden shutter, which he cautiously opened.  The noise he made was drowned by the pelting rain and furious wind, and the robbers went on chatting together, while Davie slipped out and dropped to the ground.

But ere he had been gone half an hour the outlaws were ready to start, the rain having ceased in a measure, and night was coming on to hide their red deeds.

“Hold on, boys, for I’ve got ye all covered.  He’s a dead man who moves.”

Billy had crept to the trap, and in his hoarsest tones, had spoken, while the men sprung to their feet at his words, and glancing upward saw the threatening revolver.

One attempted to draw a weapon, but the boy’s forefinger touched the trigger, and the outlaw fell dead at the flash, shot straight through the heart!

This served as a warning to the others, and they stood like statues, while one said: 

“Pard, who is yer?”

But Billy feared to again trust his voice and answered not a word.  He lay there, his revolver just visible over the edge of the boards, and covering the hearts of the three men crouching back into the corner, but full in the light from the flickering fire, while almost at their feet lay their dead comrade.

Again and again they spoke to Billy, but he gave no reply.

Then they threatened to make it warm for him, and one suggested that they make a break for the door.

But, each one seemed to feel that the revolver covered him, and none would make the attempt, for they had ocular demonstration before them of the deadly aim of the eye behind the weapon.

To poor little Billy, and I suppose to the men too, it seemed as if ages were passing away, in the hour and a quarter that Davie Dunn was gone, for he had bounded upon one of the outlaws’ horses and ridden away like the wind.

But, at last, Billy heard a stern voice say:—­

“Boys, you is our meat.”

At the same time several pistols were thrust into the window, and in came the door, burst open with a terrific crash that was music to Billy’s ears; while in dashed a dozen bold settlers, led by farmer Dunn.