three men, Smallbones, an' cross over. You, Thorpe, 'll stop
with me."

But Thorpe shook his head. He saw an opportunity to play a big hand
for Eve, and, win or lose, he meant to play it. He would not have
attempted it on a man less keen than the doctor.

"You're wrong, Doc," he said coolly, and all eyes were at once turned
upon him. Every man in the party was at once agog with interest, for
not one of them but shared Smallbones' suspicion in some degree,
however little it might be.

"See here," Jim went on, with a great show of enthusiasm, "do you know
this river? Well," as the doctor shook his head, "I do. That's why I
came this trail. I guessed if any of the rustlers were liable to hit
the trail, it 'ud be somewhere around this river. You figger he's gone
up-stream. I'd gamble he's gone down. There's a heavy timber two miles
or so down-stream, and that timber is a sheer cover right up to the
hills farther north. D'you get me? Well, personally, I don't think
he's gone up-stream--so I hunt down."

He was relying on the independence of his manner and the truth of his
arguments for success, and he achieved it even beyond his hopes. Doc
Crombie's eyes blazed.

"You'll hunt with me, Jim Thorpe," he cried sharply.

But Jim was ready. This was what he was looking for.

"See here, Doc, I'm not out for foolishness, neither are you. Oh, yes,
I know I'm suspected, and there's folks, especially our friend
Smallbones, would like to hang me right off. Well, get busy and do the
hanging, I shan't resist, and you'll all live to regret it; that is,
except Smallbones. However, this is my point. This suspicion is on me,
and I've got to clear it. I'm a sight more interested than any of you
fellows. I believe that fellow has headed down-stream, and I claim
the right, in my own self-defense, to follow him as far as my horse
will let me. I want to hit his trail, and I'll run him to earth if I
have to do it on foot. And I tell you right here you've no authority
to stop me. I'm not a vigilante, and you're not a sheriff, nor even a
'deputy.' I tell you you have neither moral nor legal right to prevent
me clearing myself in my own way."

"Want to get rid of us," snarled Smallbones.

Jim turned on him like a knife.

"I've a score to settle with you, and, small as you are, you're going
to get all that's coming to you--later."

"You'll have to get busy quick, or you won't have time," grinned the
little man, making a hideous motion of