I think. Bleeding's stopped. Dick's
got him covered up with a saddle blanket over there a ways. If I get a
crack at Delton----"

"How'd it happen, Bud?" asked Hawkins quickly. It was evident that he
wanted the boys to control themselves. It was dangerous work they were
about to start, and thought must be clear and quick, unimpeded by
external circumstance.

"From what I gather from Dick, Billee sneaked up to take a look in one
of the windows, and someone snipped him. He just made the shelter of
the trees and fell unconscious."

"Well, men, that means we have an additional reason for taking Delton."
Mr. Hawkins looked about him to be sure all were listening. In the
east the red rim of the morning sun was bulging over the horizon. The
time for action had come.

"Nort, come over here a minute, will you? Hold my bridle rein while I
see if I've got that paper with me."

The boy, wondering a little, seized the rein while Hawkins went through
his pockets. The agent's eyes were riveted on Nort's hand. It was as
steady as a rock.

"Never mind--guess I won't need it. All right." Hawkins took the
reins from the boy, satisfied by his little ruse that Nort was not
affected by his lack of sleep. The business before them called for a
firm hand and nerve.

Hawkins was speaking in a low voice.

"Can you men all hear what I'm saying? If not, get closer. Now
listen. We've got to figure this thing out, or fail again. And if we
don't take Delton this time, I'm afraid we never will. At least that's
the way it seems to me. Here's what I thought. We'll ask him to
surrender and come with us peaceably. We are bound to do that. They
know by this time that we are on their heels, and can cause trouble for
them if they attempt an escape now. I believe they'll bide their time,
and make a rush for it. That's what we have to be ready for. I'm
going up there with a flag of truce, and demand that they give in to
the law."

The agent dismounted and, drawing his gun, he tied to the barrel of it
a white handkerchief.

"You mean to say you're goin' to walk right up there in broad daylight,
after what they did to Billee?" Yellin' Kid asked in a tone of surprise.

"I am. It's my duty. Besides, it's safe enough. No one but a fool
would shoot a man bearing a white flag, when they're in Delton's
position. It'll go hard enough with them as it is. I have an idea
they might agree to come peaceably.

"Well I haven't," t