A little later Buck and Sandy Davitt sat in the dust, cigarettes in their still tremulous hands, and watched their victims.  
"After all, we bungled it a heap," said Davitt morosely. "Now there'll be hell to pay and no pitch hot! Buck, we'd ought to finish it."
 
Before them lay Steve Arnold, shot through the leg and with an ugly scalp wound; unconscious, but far from dead. The sheriff of Pecos lay beside Arnold, and was equally unconscious. His right knee had been dislocated in the fall, he had a bullet through the right shoulder, another had broken his right wrist.
 
"We'd ought to finish 'em for our own sake now," repeated Sandy Davitt.
 
Buck shook his head. He was white to the lips.
 
"Do it if you can, Sandy. I can't."
 
Sandy Davitt picked up his gun, compressed his lips, then with an oath thrust the weapon away. It was more than he could do. Buck smiled ironically.
 
"It ain't so bad, at that," he observed. "They're both put out o' business and in our hands; anyhow, it's better'n if we'd killed them, Sandy. Here's the story. They come on us and started shooting; downed them two boys yonder 'fore we could git into action. Savvy? So we let 'em have it in self-defense. How you goin' to prove otherwise?"
 
Davitt nodded, and his face cleared. "All right. But I see plain how come Sam Fisher missed us with them two shots; he done the work with his left hand."
 
"He didn't miss far at that." Buck shivered a little.
 
"Thanks," said Sam Fisher, opening his eyes. "So it ain't a dream after all, Buck? Say, I'd appreciate it a lot if you gents would do somethin' to my right knee."
 
Buck looked at his companion. By tacit consent they rose and approached their victims, who had been thoroughly disarmed. Fisher turned his head and inspected Steve Arnold.
 
"Well, this ain't so bad!" he observed. "Look after Steve first, Buck. His leg is sure pumping out a lot o' blood. Tie him up good."
 
"You shut up," said Buck roughly. "Catch on here, Sandy."
 
They rudely bandaged Arnold's leg, found that his scalp wound was not serious, and turned to Sam Fisher. Investigation confirmed his previous schedule of injuries.
 
"She's dislocated," announced Sandy. "Buck, catch hold of the ankle; I got the thigh. Go to it."
 
Sam Fisher lay back, his fingers gripping at the dirt, a sweat of agony beading his brow. It was done. He said no word as the two men effected a hasty bandaging of his broken right wrist and wounded shoulder. Then they stood erect above him.
 
"Sandy," said Buck, steady and calm once more, "you got to ride on the back trail in a hurry. Find the boys we left with Jake Harper and bring 'em on."
 
"You can't stay here with 'em," said Sandy Davitt roughly.
 
"I don't aim to. We got two extra hosses. Tie Arnold in one saddle; Fisher can ride without bein' tied, I reckon. Anyway, he's got to! You help me with 'em, then ride on hard for the boys. We'll put these two with Jake and hold 'em safe for a spell, then I'll clean up everything here and light out. A week will do it."
 
"You aim to light out, do you?" asked Davitt in surprise. Buck nodded.
 
"Yep. It's that or kill Sam Fisher, and I guess I've gone my limit to-day, Sandy. We've done a-plenty."
 
"Suit yourself." Sandy Davitt shrugged.
 
"Besides, Tracy will be back soon. We'll lay charges o' this murder," and Buck pointed to the two dead men, "against 'em both and lock 'em up. We'll git clear off 'fore they are able to travel. Dog-gone it! If Fisher was whole, I'd say shoot, but he's too much shot up, Sandy. Dogged if I can do it now!"
 
They led out the horses. Into one saddle they lifted the unconscious Arnold, and then lashed him firmly in place. With an effort, Sam Fisher gained his feet, his right hand dangling in its bandage. The ghost of his old whimsical smile touched his lips.
 
"Put me up, gents, and I guess I can ride," he said quietly. "And I still got one good hand for the reins——"
 
"The reins ain't goin' to trouble you none," intervened Buck. "Ready, Sandy!"
 
Once he was placed in the saddle, Fisher clung to the pommel, his face livid; the pain of the operation was intense. However, he would be able to ride fairly well.
 
"All right, Sandy,&qu............