t isn't going to be so one-sided as you fancied," Jet cried.
"Now haul off an' I'll leave without saying another word."

"You won't have much more chance to talk," the leader cried, savagely,
as he gathered another armful of rocks; but before he could renew the
attack a shout from the distance caused him to drop his weapons very
suddenly.

"The boss has come, an' now we shall get a tongue-lashing!" one of the
fellows said, as if in alarm.

"I reckon that won't hurt us very much," the leader replied, but at the
same time he dropped the rocks, and stood ready to receive the
new-comer.

Jet could not see the track from where he was standing, but he heard
what sounded like a familiar voice ask, sharply:

"Now what kind of deviltry are you fellers into?"

"Trying to drive out a rat we've got cornered in here."

"Same old tricks, eh? Well, some of these days you'll bite off more
than can be chewed easily, an' then the jig will be up for all hands.
Can't you act decent one day in a month?"

"That depends. When we're left alone three or four weeks on mighty
short allowance, it stands us in hand to look out for ourselves," the
leader of the party replied, insolently.

"Take care of your tongue, my friend, or there'll be something else
needin' care precious soon. Let me see your game."

Jet heard the sound of rapid footsteps, and an instant later the tall
man whom he had such good cause to remember was standing at a safe
distance trying to peer into the shanty.

"Hello!" he cried, in surprise, as he recognized the boy. "It seems
that you've been doin' a lucky stroke of business without knowing it.
Don't let him give you the slip, an' bring him over to the house as
soon as possible."

"Somebody you know?" one of the fellows asked.

"Yes, a boy who has found out too much for his own good, and he must be
kept mighty close."

"It wouldn't take long to fix that for you," was the significant reply.

"We may have to do it; but Bob is agin that kind of business, an' to
humor him we must keep the cub awhile."

"Has Bob come back?"

"He must be at the house by this time."

"Have you brought grub?"

"Of course not. Do you think we travel around the country loaded down
like pack horses?"

"Better do that than go hungry."

"Is everything used up?"

"Yes, or we shouldn't be down here."

"I'll see to layin' in a stock, an' there shall be plenty to drink.
When you can get hold of the boy, come along; I'll star