Look out there, Ped."
The warning came too late. Teddy had jammed into the corral fence, and
ground his rider's knee till the torture of the pain had distracted his
attention. Once more then swept round the ugly stub nose, and the yellow
teeth fastened in the leather chaps with a vicious snap that did not
entirely miss the flesh of the leg.
The boy, with a cry of pain and terror, slipped to the ground, his nerve
completely shaken. The sorrel lashed out with his hind feet, and missed
his head by a hairbreadth. Pedro turned to run, stumbled, and went down.
The outlaw was upon him like a streak, striking with sharp chiseled
forefeet at the prostrate man. Along the line of spectators ran a groan,
a kind of sobbing murmur of despair. A young Mexican who had just ridden
up flung himself from his horse and ran forward, though he knew he was
too late.
"Pedro's done for," cried one.
And so he would have been but for the watchfulness and alertness of one
man.
Dick had been ready the instant the outlaw had flung against the fence.
He had been prepared to see the boy weaken, and had anticipated it in
his forward leap. The furious animal had risen to drive home his hoofs,
when an arm shot out, caught the bridle, and dragged him sideways. This
unexpected intervention dazed the animal; and while he still stood
uncertain, Gordon swung to the saddle and dug his heels into the
bleeding sides.
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