There was a vivid flash of lightning. In the glare the two challengers saw that Delton was directly in front of them, and behind him were four others. Delton reached for his gun. Then the heavens opened with a crash of thunder and the rain poured down in a deluge. CHAPTER XIX THE CHASE Through the darkness came many and varied sounds. The thunder rolled long and continuously. The angry voices of men rose loud and hoarse. Along the drenched road came the smugglers' car, its exhaust roaring. And over all the rain came down in torrents. "Out of the way there, you!" came a voice. "We ain't got no time for foolin'!" "Stick to it, Nort!" the Kid yelled. "Don't let them through!" The two boys were standing in the middle of the road, guns out, determined to prevent Delton and his men from closing in on Hawkins, who was grimly awaiting the smuggling car. If they could be held off until the auto pulled in and stopped, the party at the other side of the ranch house might succeed in capturing the Chink runners. There was a sudden shot. "Hurt, Nort?" the Kid called anxiously. "Nope! Missed! Put those guns up, you! We've got you covered! Climb down off those horses quick, or we'll fill you full of holes!" There was a desperate ring in the boy rancher's voice, and Delton must have recognized this, for he yelled something to the men back of him and they all halted. The thunder was less frequent now, although the rain had not let up. The boys standing in the road were soaked to the skin. Still they remained firmly in their place, listening to the roar of the approaching car, and hoping they could hold Delton until it reached the ranch. By the sound it was almost to the Shooting Star ranch now. In another moment---- "Hey, you guys, what's the idea?" through the night came a questioning voice. "Don't you know it's rainin' here? How about lettin' us in the ranch to get dry?" "You stay where you are!" the Kid yelled. "You'll have plenty o' time to get dry all right!" "Kid--here's the car! Watch out now!" Nort was at the Kid's side, but facing the other way. "Can you see anything--any of Delton's bunch?" "Nope--only hear that guy that was talking! Can you?" "No but--what's that?" From the other side of the house came three shots in rapid succession. Then someone yelled. The next moment Dick came splashing around to where the Kid and Nort were waiting. "They--they fooled us!" Dick panted. "Delton and three others got to the car before we did and warned the smugglers! They all got away!" "Delton!" the Kid exclaimed. "Why, we had him here----" "Yes you did!" came a mocking voice. "You big cheese--all you had was a good talk! So long!" There was the splashing noise of a horse rapidly departing for parts unknown. "Can--you--beat--that!" Nort ejaculated. "Fooled! Taken in like suckers! While we stood here talking----"