J. Allan Dunn

“ Strong turned his head, drawing on his cigarette, careful that the glow should not be seen. He had forgotten the dynamite until Pedro brought it. Now there was the risk that Lobo might have some and, reminded, toss a stick into them in turn. It was common enough on ranches, used for blasting post holes in the rock. Whether Lobo had any was a possibility that must not be overlooked. A half stick would annihilate them all. Lobo might want to get the girl unscathed, but if Strong used the stuff with its frightful havoc he would not consider her in his rage. ”

“ Soon's we're shot out, Pedro, you come up, while we reload. We've got to stop 'em. Too many of 'em.”
“Thar'll be less,” growled Hurley. “Let 'em come, damn their black souls!”
The blobs of shadow suddenly lengthened with men back of them, leaping on, firing as they came. The lead tore through the gap, but Pedro had backed the roan and the two unhurt horses—the roan's wound was only a scratch-out of the line of fire behind the protecting wings of rock, across from Lucy and the wounded Miguel and Juan. ”

“ Hurley knew how Strong felt, knew that he wanted to ride amuck among them. And, if this was to be his own finish, he wished no better. His wound was stiffening, his left arm almost useless, but he had reloaded, and he stood, half supported by the rock, ready to go out through the smoke. Pedro was beside him, stern to avenge his brother and Juan as Strong, on the back of the roan, came past them, his guns refilled. ”

“ Lobo might not be held for murder, lacking actual proofs. On the charge of smuggling, he might be sent for years to the penitentiary, a punishment far from sufficient in Strong's conception. The man was a monster of evil. Worst of all, he had deliberately given over the girl Strong loved—and who loved him, for Strong knew she had sealed herself to him with the kiss—to his men if they could recapture her. Only Lobo's death could wipe that out. He was worse than Rudd, who had already paid the penalty. A clean bullet was too good for Lobo. A dog's death was his desert. ”

“ Once his eyes saw the sky, and then he was dragged beneath the ledge of lava where the creek foamed and raged in its tunnel, flung against the sides, the top, the quickly ebbing life bruised out of him. ”

“ Hurley and Strong standing, half exposed, sent their missiles more successfully at the greater targets of man and horse. Once Strong got the black in the flank with a snap shot, but did not cripple it. Then he brought down a horse with a bullet in its head, and the next shot snuffed out life in its rider, spilled on the ground. ”

“ Four sprawled in the moonlight, throwing scant shadows now. Strong's guns were empty, as were Hurley's, and they stepped back to fill their chambers again, to let Pedro keep up the fire and stop the rally that Lobo tried to bring about, guessing that here was his best chance.
Strong saw Pedro glide forward and then another figure. Lucy, with Miguel's gun! He caught at her arm to check her, and there came a scattering volley from the bushes which the retreating outlaws had reached. She fell back into his arms. ”

“ Outside of Pedro, the ranch is jest a reg'lar nest of love birds. Danged if I won't be glad when the four of 'em git married an' settle down.”
“You ever in love?” Maria asked.
“So long ago I have forgotten it. Why?”
“There ees some sort of love that never what you call settle down. Mebbe my Miguel an' Josefa are that way. I hope so. An' Señor Strong an' his señorita, who shall be his señora nex' week, I, Maria, who have seen much love, tell you, señor, those two hav' that kin' of love.”
Hurley shifted his quid. ”