“Yes,” replied Frank, truthfully. “Yet I always confer with my two servitors. I will give you an answer.” Frank arose, but Casnova did the same and seemed loath to let his guest depart. “Ah, too much haste,” he declared, in his oily way. “Senor Reade, you know not the ways of these parts.” “I shall learn, perhaps,” said Frank, dryly, taking a stride toward the door. But before he could cross it the ranchero had seized a small whistle from his girdle and blew it. Several sharp notes upon it he blew. In the flash of a second Frank realized his peril. He made action in that same brief bit of time. Quick as lightning he cleared the threshold and started across the yard for the Steam Man. “Stop him!” yelled Casnova, in the Mexican tongue. In the same moment six of the greasers sprang toward Frank. The young inventor saw his peril and knew that he must act quickly. He drew his revolver and cried: “Stand back, every one of you! I’ll kill the first man in my path.” But the greasers were upon him and the pistol was knocked from his grasp. Only one thing favored Frank at that moment. The greasers were all light men, and they had not reached Frank until he was within ten yards of the Steam Man. Barney and Pomp in the cage saw the situation at a glance. They realized the deadly peril and were quick to make action. Barney seized a club and rushed from the cage. It was but a couple of leaps he needed to take to bring him to Frank’s side. The young inventor himself had knocked over two of the greasers with his fists. Barney now with his improvised shillelagh descended upon the Mexicans like a thunderbolt. They were utterly unable to stand up before such an attack. Right and left the Celt dealt blows. “Take that, an’ that, ye murtherin’ crew!” yelled Barney, excitedly; “bejabers, if it’s a ruction yez want, here’s one fer yez.” The greasers went down before the Irishman’s blows like logs. There were others coming to their assistance. But before they could come up the struggle was over. Barney and Frank had sprung into the cage. There they were safe from bullets. And these now began to fly. Casnova furiously rushed out into the ranch yard, urging his men on. A swarm of the greasers came for the Steam Man. But Frank was not anxious to meet them in close combat. He opened the throttle and let the Steam Man out. Out of the ranch yard the Man sped, but the greasers all sprang upon their horses and gave pursuit. Out upon the plain went the Steam Man, pursued by the yelling horde of greasers. For half a mile the race was nip and tuck. Ordinarily the Man would have distanced them, but there was but little steam up, and progress was slow. As it was, the greasers gained a trifle, and one of them sent his lasso coiling like a serpent through the air. It settled down over the Steam Man’s head and shoulders. CHAPTER IV. THE PROSPECTORS.