Powder Valley Stampede

Description

Pat and Ezra cut a brisk trail through the rocky ridges, slowing down only when their laboring horses began to skid as the trail became steeper. Suddenly the crisp mountain air was shattered by a resounding blast--and the hot and ominous whine of a bullet ripped by Pat's face. At the same instant his horse bolted wildly and threw Pat onto the rocks. An answering shot cracked, and Ezra, a few yards back, leaped out of his saddle and ran to Pat's side. He stared unbelievingly--"Yuh ain't hit?" "Nope. Thought I got it that time, didn't you?" Pat's horse lay still. A single glance told the story. "Ez, that slug got him square between the eyes, tore on through, and damn near got me in the same place!" "Dunno who that rat is, Pat, but we ain't passin' this by!"