the part of the outlaws. He could hear the rather
high-pitched voice of Gus Gols occasionally, and the heavier one of
Eph, but it was impossible for Jim to make out what was being said.

He could tell it was something very interesting by the way Juarez
was listening. Then Jim's heart stood still when he saw Juarez rise
suddenly to his feet from his listening posture, for he knew by his
action that he was in danger of discovery. As in truth he was, as you
will see.

The pow-wow had been going on for a few minutes when Juarez heard Gus
Gols say:

"You Eph, take a scout around the corral, and see if you kin discover
any interested spectators hanging around. This is an important
business, fellow cits and Greasers, so we will have to be keerful."

So Eph started for the door on his tour of inspection, which he did
not take very seriously, for he knew that there was no government
official within a hundred miles. As for the tenderfeet in the valley,
he never gave them a thought; they were probably staying close to
camp, afraid that the bears would get them. As soon as Gus Gols spoke
Juarez realized that he had no time to spare.

If he retreated up the slope, he was almost certain to be seen, and
that meant a running fight against the gang of ten men, with a very
dubious prospect ahead. He must act quickly; there was no place near
the cabin where he could hide. Already Eph had stepped outside the
door. Now the roof of the cabin sloped to the back with overhanging
boards. Juarez saw his chance; he grabbed one of the boards and lifted
himself lightly up, and lay down flat just as Eph came around the
corner of the cabin.

Jim was quivering with the excitement of the situation. Eph took one
careless look around, shook his head with the muttered comment that
"The boss must be losing his nerve," and went in to report that all
was quiet along the Potomac.

Juarez did not get down from the roof of the cabin, but merely moved
a little to where there was a convenient knothole, through which he
could hear everything that was going on in the cabin.

He stayed where he was for about ten minutes, lying as quiet as a
lizard on a sun-warmed log, and this is no idle comparison, for the
sun did shine down with lots of force; then he slowly and very
carefully moved backwards, and let himself gingerly down to the
ground, while Jim watched him intently, sure that he had found out
something of importance.

Not a word did Juarez say, but