In amazement, the spectators beheld the three riders separate, two bearing to the right, the brown bearded man to the left. "They're gaining! They're gaining!" shouted the crowd, then held their breath the next instant. As though they were pieces of a machine, worked by the same power, Clell and his leader closed in simultaneously on both sides of the runaway. "Now!" cried the latter. As they dropped their reins, Jesse leaned far from his saddle and seized the terror-paralyzed girl about the waist. Failing to comprehend the movement men and women stared, believing that precious moments were being lost, then some of them roared: "Ride the horse off! Her foot's caught in the stirrup!" But at the very instant, Clell slashed with all his might at the saddle-girth. True was his hand. The leather parted and before the spectators could realize how it happened, the great outlaw jerked the girl, the saddle hanging to her foot, from her horse, swayed a moment as he regained his balance, then swung her in front of him. Salvos of applause broke from the throng of men and women. But the spectacular work was not yet ended. So close were the outlaws to the corral when the sensational rescue was effected that it seemed that they must crash into it. Once more the crowd grew silent as it realized the new danger. Yet even as the hush fell, Frank swerved his horse, riding straight at Clell's. There was the rubbing of saddle leather, an awful instant of suspense as the colliding animals struggled to keep their feet, then both, weathering the impact, bore down onto Jesse and his burden. "They'll go down! They'll be crushed!" gasped the spectators. But the famous desperado had anticipated the danger. The instant he had set the girl in front of him, he had pulled on his reins with his right hand, changing the course of his mount to such an extent that when the other two rode into him, his horse only turned more quickly, and shoulder to shoulder the three animals galloped along the side of the enclosure. Yet so narrow was the margin by which the rescue was accomplished that as they swept up the length of the corral, Frank was forced to throw his left leg over the pommel of his saddle to keep it from being scraped and crushed against the rough boards. A trice the crowd stood motionless, then with thunderous cheers swarmed round the outlaws and the girl they had rescued. CHAPTER II. CONSOLLAS' ACCUSATION. Bringing his thoroughbred to a stop as quickly as he could, Jesse shook his feet clear of the stirrups, swung one leg over the saddle pommel and slid to the ground, placing the limp form of the girl tenderly on the grass.