n," he said, as he rode up in front of them.

"Not to _you_, Tom Ruger," spoke a tall Ten Miler--the only one,
by-the-way, who had come out of the previous day's trial unscathed. "Not
to you, Tom Ruger! Where's Borlan?"

"He's gone down the coast on business," said Ruger, "and may not be back
for several months."

"We'll not wait for _him_" was the miner's reply.

At the same time he drew a revolver.

"You had _better_ wait," said Ruger, also producing a revolver.

The Ten Miler paused, and looked around at his companions. They did not
present a formidable array of fighting stock. In fact, they were the
sorest-looking men that Ten Mile Gulch ever saw; and as the unscathed
surveyed them, he seemed to think he _had_ better wait.

[Illustration: "YOU HAD BETTER WAIT," SAID RUGER, ALSO PRODUCING A
REVOLVER.]

"You'll wait for Mr. Borlan?" queried Ruger.

"I reckon we'd better," answered the unscathed.

"And while you are waiting, you had better take a cursory glance at Mr.
Watson," suggested Ruger. "At the present time he is reposing in the
shade of an acacia-bush, just back of the late lamented William Foster's
rural habitation. Good-morning, gentlemen; and don't get impatient."

If Mr. Ruger had any fear of treachery, he did not exhibit it, for he
never turned his head as he rode off toward the valley. Nor was there
any danger; for beneath his suggestions about Mr. Watson the unscathed
had detected a thing or two.

"I'm glad we waited," he said. "I begin to see a thing or two. Them as
is able will follow me up the Gulch."

About half a score went with him. Mr. Watson was still enjoying the
shade of the acacia-bush. In fact, he couldn't get away, which Mr. Ruger
well knew.

"It's all up with me, Gulchers," whispered Watson. "Ruger was too many
for me, and I ought to have known it. You'll find Bill Foster's dust in
a flour-sack, in my cabin. My respects to Borlan when you see him, and
tell him I beg his pardon for discommoding him. Give what dust is
honestly mine to him. It's all I can do now. Good-by, boys. I'm jest
played out; but take my advice and never buck against Tom Ruger. He's
too many for any dozen chaps on the coast. I knew 'twas all up with me
the minute Tom came in, for he can look right through a feller's heart.
But never mind! It's too late to help it now. I staked everything I had
against Foster's pile, and I'm beat, beat, beat!"

These were the last words Mr. Bob Watson ever spoke, as many