Within reach of his hand, Buckhart saw the pistol that Dick had wrenched from the man’s grasp. Quick as thought, the Texan seized the weapon. The double click of a hammer was followed an instant later by a sharp report and a cry of pain.
Brad had fired at the uplifted hand of the thug. The bullet struck and shattered two of the man’s fingers. The knife dropped harmlessly. Holding up his injured hand, the slugger sprang to his feet.
“Stop—stop right where you are!” commanded Buckhart, leveling the pistol. “If you don’t, I’ll sure run a tunnel through you! I’ll ventilate you good and proper!”
“I don’t want to kill him,” said the Texan, who was sitting up, “but I think I’ll try for his legs.”
The weapon was emptied, but the fleeing wretch kept on and disappeared into the darkness.
“Well, I sure am a rotten bad shot,” observed the Texan, in disgust. “Reckon that’s because I got a bump on the head that made me see a few stars and comets. I say, partner, how are you?”
“Alive, thanks to you,” answered Dick. “You chipped into the game at the right moment. I believe that brute meant to knife me.”
“It certain seemed that he had some such intentions. Where are the rest of the gents?”
“They’ve skipped—all but one. One of them should be here.”
But the little man Cully, who had been knocked down, had crawled off into the darkness and could not be found.
“Evidently they’re all gone,” said Dick, rubbing his right shoulder with his left hand. “I’m afraid that shoulder is hurt pretty bad.”
“And I’m a whole lot unsteady on my pins,” muttered the Texan. “That was a joyous old scrimmage, but it didn’t seem to wake up the neighborhood much.”
“Some one is coming now,” said Dick. “I can see a row of brass buttons dancing this way.”
“Well, it’s about time!” said Brad, as a policeman came up panting. “You’re rather late, officer.”
“What’s the matter here?” demanded the officer. “What are you doing with that pistol? What do you mean by firing a pistol? You’re both drunk! I think I’ll take you in.”
Dick gave his chum a whimsical look of disgust.
“What do you think of that, Brad?” he said. “He’s going to take us in. We get held up and nearly murdered, and after it’s all over a gallant policeman appears and arrests us.”