STANDING OFF THE JAYHAWKERS 



"Oh, no you won't," interrupted Tom in a 

 quiet but firm tone as he began fingering the lock 

 of his rifle. 



"Why, pardner," exclaimed Tucker in appar- 

 ent astonishment, "you don't mean to say you'd 

 be so foolish as to compel us to use force? I've 

 got some forty odd men over to camp. Ef you 

 don't give up them mules peaceably I'll go an* 

 bring the whole company, an' then well, you'll 

 have to pay fer the trouble you've put us to, in 



course." 



A smile of contempt spread over Tom's visage 

 as he replied: 



"Trot out your company an' try to take them 

 mules an' we'll show you what we'll do for you." 



Jack and I were keenly alive to all that was 

 going on and, while watching the five ruffians out 

 on the prairie, were prepared to meet any threat- 

 ening move any of them might make. 



Being out of hearing of the argument, the squad 

 on the prairie seemed to be growing restless. 

 One of them called out to Tucker as though solicit- 

 ing an order to charge on us: 



"Cap, don't you want us up there to settle that 

 matter ? Ef you do, jes 9 say the word!" 



Tucker hesitated before answering and looked 

 about our camp as though calculating the chances. 

 The notion if he entertained it was quickly dis- 

 pelled by Tom, who growled out : 



"You give 'em the order to advance an' it'll be 



59 



