The group of plotters turned, there was a startled murmur, then
Tad Lewis answered:
"Hello! Who are you? What do you want?"
"I reckon we must have got off the road," announced the stranger.
Then he peered out across the river: "Say! Ain't that a skiff
coming yonder?" he inquired.
"Well, it don't look like a steamboat." Lewis laughed,
disagreeably. "We're havin' a little party of our own. I reckon
you fellows had better beat it. Understand?"
The outposts that had been sent to cover the bank in both
directions were now coming in. Through the stillness of the night
there sounded the thump of oar-locks. Seeing that the stranger did
not seem to take his hint, Lewis raised his voice menacingly:
"That's your road back yonder. It's a right good road, and I'd
advise you to travel it, fast."
But this suggestion was also ignored; in fact, it appeared to
amuse the man addressed, for he, too, laughed. He turned, and the
women noticed that he carried a short saddle-gun. They saw, also,
that at least one of the men at his back was similarly armed.
"Now, what's the hurry?" The stranger was chuckling. Suddenly he
raised his voice and called, loudly: "Hello, Dave! Is that you-
all?"
The answer floated promptly back: "Hello, Cap! Sure it's us.
Pages:
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297