Just then Dick rode back to join the fray, having bound up his wounded hand as best he could unaided. "What's doing?" he asked. For answer his brother and cousin pointed to the retreating Greasers. "Good!" exclaimed Dick. "Do you think they'll come back?" he asked. "No telling," remarked Bud. "I don't believe we'll have gotten rid of them so easily," was Nort's opinion. There was some confusion now amid the ranks of the sheep men. Those who were wounded were being cared for, and they all gathered around what had been their central camp fire. "They're debating whether to give up or not," was Snake's view of it. And if this was the subject of the talk it ended in a decision not to give up the fight. For presently another attempt was made to cross the creek. This time the Greasers divided forces, separating about a quarter of a mile, and thus necessitating a division in the ranks of the cowboys. This, of course, made the odds against the Diamond X outfit rather heavier. But again the Greasers were repulsed, with several wounded, though the same might be said of Old Billee's forces. Again the sheep men withdrew across the creek. Again was there a conference, and then the same tactics were tried as at first--the main body came directly across the stream. But now a new element entered into the battle. For, no sooner had the fight started for the third time than some of the Mexicans began driving into the water, at a point perhaps half a mile from the fray, a flock of sheep. "Look at that!" cried Yellin' Kid. It was evident that something must be done. It called for another division of the defending force, now somewhat reduced in numbers because of injuries. But the crossing of the sheep had to be stopped, as well as the passage of the armed men. And, after a hard struggle, this was accomplished. The sheep were the easier driven back, for the animals were soon frightened and thrown into confusion. But the Mexicans themselves were desperate, and some of them even succeeded in reaching the opposite shore, setting their horses on Mr. Merkel's land. However, there was a fierce rally against them on the part of the cowboys and they were driven back. This was not without desperate work, however, and several on each side suffered minor injuries. The trouble was that the cowboys held their enemies too lightly. It was easy, and perhaps natural, for them to despise the sheep herders. But, after all, these were men, and rough and ready men at that. They had something to fight for--their lives and their charges, and to lose one was to endanger the other. So, for a time it looked, as Bud said afterward, "like touch and go," so near was the tide of battle to turning against the cowboys. Both sides were now pretty well exhausted, but the disadvantage of having to cross the stream still hampered the Greasers. They must have felt this, for after another consultation among themselves something new and unexpected happened.