Fortunately the Mexican in the other end of the manger was so busily engaged in loading and firing that he could not take time to look about him during the very few minutes that he remained in his hiding-place. The inmates of the rancho defended themselves with spirit, and one of their number, becoming aware that there was an enemy in the shed, fired three shots from his revolver in that direction. Ned’s hair fairly stood on end as he heard the bullets crashing through the planks which formed the outside of the manger. The eccentric and hurried movements of the Mexican proved that he was no less embarrassed by them, and when the third bullet came in, striking closer to his head than the others, he uttered an exclamation in Spanish, and jumping out of the manger ran off to find a less exposed ambush. Ned was glad to see him go. “I wonder what they mean by such work, any how?” thought Ned, who, frightened as he was, could not resist the temptation to get upon his knees and look over the top of the manger. “Haven’t they got sense enough to see that our fellows have the advantage of them, and that there is nothing to be gained by shooting at stone walls? There! I guess they are going now!” Just then one of the band uttered a shrill whistle, and the firing ceased almost immediately. Ned looked to see them mount and ride away without loss of time, but the sequel proved that they were not yet ready to give up all hopes of handling the money in the strong box, if that was what they were after. The whistle was given to call the band together for consultation. They gathered behind the shed out of sight of the house, and one of them leaned against the boards so close to Ned that if the latter had pushed his finger through one of the cracks he could have touched him. The boy could hear their slightest whisper, but could not understand a word that was said, for they talked altogether in Spanish. They quickly decided upon a new plan of operations, and separated to carry it into execution. A portion of the band opened fire on the rancho again, and the others, having secured an axe, crept around to the opposite side and furiously attacked one of the doors; but the tough oak planks of which it was made resisted the blows of the axe until the herdsmen had time to run to the other side of the building and drive them away by firing through the loopholes with their revolvers. Then the attack was renewed on another door with the same result; finally, the Mexicans, growing discouraged, hurled a volley of Spanish oaths at the defenders of the rancho, which had about the same effect on them that their bullets had on the walls, and ran toward their horses.