The two men turned at the sound of the man speaking. As they did, they instinctively reached down for their weapons. Corporal C. L. Parker who had taken cover just inside the barn door saw the movement, and Dick’s hand had only touched his pistol butt when C. L. pulled the trigger on his rifle. The outlaw instantly stopped his draw, and grabbed at his middle with both hands. He tried turning away from the sudden pain, but with life quickly rushing from his body, his knees buckled, and he tumbled over, landing head-first in the trough.

Mavis had fared some better, he somehow managed to pull off a quick, misdirected shot that struck the corner of the house just inches from Stillwater’s head, then he broke into a dodging run for the cabin.

Stillwater had ducked away from the blast, then bringing his pistol up, he pulled the trigger. The outlaw instantly grabbed at his left leg and went to the ground, but getting back up on one leg, he continued hopping toward the steps.

Jake was watching the door and windows at the front of the cabin thinking the other outlaws might show themselves, but when he saw Mavis get up from the ground, he swung his rifle and fired. At the same time Stillwater and C. L. pulled off another shot, all three bullets struck Mavis Cranes at the same instant with deadly force. Before the outlaw had hit the ground, Stillwater broke in a dead run for the back of the house to stop any attempt the ones still inside might make at escaping out the back door.