CHAPTER VI 

 STANDING OFF THE JAYHAWKERS 



TT rHILE Jack and I stowed away the sack of 

 ^^ corn and waited for Tom's reply to my 

 question, he stood watching the disappearing rid- 

 ers till an intervening rise of ground hid them 

 and then began to unfold his plans. 



"It's earHer in the day than we generally camp," 

 said Tom thoughtfully, "but under the circum- 

 stances we must select a camp not far from here 

 an' hang up till we see what they're going to do. 

 Ef we try to go on farther they'll think we're 

 running from 'em. We must camp in open 

 ground where they can't get in shooting distance 

 of us without showing themselves in open prairie. 



"I asked the storekeeper about the lay of the 

 land on the other side of the creek, an' he told 

 me of a good place to camp about a half mile 

 beyond the ford, where there's an abandoned 

 house out in the prairie an' a good well. The 

 family who owned the place got scared out and 

 moved into Topeka to stay till times get better. 

 There's where we'll camp; so let's get there an' 

 get prepared for action in case this outfit gives 

 us a call. They won't let us go by without trying 

 some bluff game on us an' maybe a fight. 



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