THE WOLF HUNTERS 



the last one you'll ever give. We've got the dead- 

 wood on you two fellers an' we'll give a good ac- 

 count of them others, too, ef they attempt to come 

 on." 



Tucker acknowledged the situation by shout- 

 ing to his men in the offing: 



*' No! No! Stay where you areT^ Then, turn- 

 ing to Tom, he continued: "Now, pardner, I've 

 got one more last proposition to make you, to 

 save you trouble, an' that is this: We'll take them 

 mules over to our camp an' " 



''That'll do," interrupted Tom. "I've heard 

 enough of that. You'll never take them mules to 

 your camp, or anywhere else, while I'm ahve. 

 You know that neither you nor this other feller 

 has any more right to them mules than I have to 

 the horses you're ridin'. I don't want to hear any 

 more of your nonsense. The best thing you two 

 can do is to git away from here. If I see one of 

 you in range of our rifles again he's liable to git a 

 hole in his hide. Five minutes to get out of 

 range! Now, git!" 



Tucker turned his horse and, calling, "Come on. 

 Bill," they started to join their waiting comrades. 

 After a few steps the captain turned in his saddle 

 and, with a threatening nod to Tom, said: "I'll see 

 you later." 



"Ef you do it won't be good for you," retorted 

 Tom. 



Tucker and Sawyer joined the others, and with- 



60 



