THE WOLF HUNTERS 



While the captain was making his little speech 

 Jack gave me an occasional wink, which seemed to 

 say: "Listen to what's comin'." 



"Now, pardner," continued the jayhawker, "we 

 ain't in the habit of spending much time arguing 

 about a matter of this kind, an', as I tol' you be- 

 fore, we're a-gatherin' up mules an' hosses fer the 

 government, an' whenever we find any that suits 

 we just take 'em, givin' an order on Uncle Sam, 

 an' he foots the bill. But to show you that we're 

 dealing on the square with you men about these 

 mules, ef they ain't ours we don't want 'em. Now, 

 I'll make you a fair proposition. The man that 

 lost the mules I'm talking about is out yonder, an' 

 he's never seen your mules yet. He's got the 

 brands marked down on a piece of paper. Now, 

 ef you're honorable men an' willing to do what's 

 right I don't see how you can help accepting my 

 proposition, which is this: I'll call Bill Sawyer 

 up here an' let him show his brands as they're 

 marked down on that paper afore he's ever had a 

 chance to see the brands on your mules, an' e f the 

 brands he's got marked down is the same as wh it's 

 on them mules, why, it's a plain case that they 

 must be his mules. Now, what do you say to 

 that?" 



Tom gave no sign that he was "onto their 

 game," but merely said: 



"Call your man up, but only him no more." 



Tucker rode out a few steps toward his gang 

 and called: 



56 



