The sheriff looked significantly at one of his men and nodded."You didn't recognize the horses, I reckon?""Come to think of it, one of the ponies did look like Jim's roan.What's up, boys? Anything doing?""Nothing particular.We want to see Jim, that's all.So long."What Henderson had guessed was the truth.The continuous hard riding had been too much for Bannister and his wound had opened anew.They were at the time only a few miles from a shack on Dry Creek, where the Lazy D punchers sometimes put up.McWilliams had attended the wound as best he could, and after a few hours' rest had headed for the cabin in the hills.They were compelled to travel very slowly, since the motion kept the sheepman's wound continually bleeding.But about noon they reached the refuge they had been seeking and Bannister lay down on the bunk with their saddle blankets under him.He soon fell asleep, and Mac took advantage of this to set out on a foraging expedition to a ranch not far distant.Here he got some bread, bacon, milk and eggs from a man he could trust and returned to his friend.
It was dark by the time he reached the cabin.He dismounted, and with his arms full of provisions pushed into the hut.
"Awake, Bann?" he asked in a low voice.
The answer was unexpected.Something heavy struck his chest and flung him back against the wall.Before he could recover his balance he was pinioned fast.Four men had hurled themselves upon him.
"We've got you, Jim.Not a mite o' use resisting," counseled the sheriff."Think I don't savez that? I can take a hint when a whole Methodistchurch falls on me.Who are y'u, anyhow?""Somebody light a lantern," ordered Burns.
By the dim light it cast Mac made them out, and saw Ned Bannister gagged and handcuffed on the bed.He knew a moment of surprise when his eyes fell on Reddy.
"So it was y'u brought them here, Red?" he said quietly.
Contrary to his own expectations, the gentleman named was embarrassed "The sheriff, he summoned me to serve," was his lame defense.
"And so y'u threw down your friends.Good boy!" "A man's got to back the law up, ain't he?"Mac turned his shoulder on him rather pointedly."There isn't any need of keeping that gag in my friend's mouth any longer," he suggested to Burns.
"That's right, too.Take it out, boys.I got to do my duty, but I don't aim to make any gentleman more uncomfortable than I can help.I want everything to be pleasant all round.""I'm right glad to hear that, Burns, because my friend isn't fit to travel.Y'u can take me back and leave him out here with a guard," the foreman replied quickly.
"Sorry I can't accommodate you, Jim, but I got to take y'u both with me.""Those are the orders of the King, are they?"Burns flushed darkly."It ain't going to do you any good to talk that way.You know mighty well this here man with you is Bannister.I ain't going to take no chances on losing him now I've got my hand on him.""Y'u ce'tainly deserve a re-election, and I'll bet y'u get it all right.Any man so given over to duty, so plumb loaded down to the hocks with conscience as y'u, will surely come back with a big majority next November.""I ain't askin' for YOUR vote, Mac."
"Oh, y'u don't need votes.Just get the King to O.K.your nomination and y'u'll win in a walk.""My friend, y'u better mind your own business.Far as I can make out y'u got troubles enough of your own," retorted the nettled sheriff.
"Y'u don't need to tell me that, Tom Burns' Y'u ain't a man--nothing but a stuffed skin worked by a string.When that miscreant Bannister pulls the string y'u jump.He's jerked it now, so y'u're taking us back to him.I can prove that coyote Morgan shot at me first, but that doesn't cut any ice with you.""What made you light out so sudden, then?" demanded the aggrieved Burns triumphantly.
"Because I knew you.That's a plenty good reason.I'm not asking anything for myself.All I say is that my friend isn't fit to travel yet.Let him stay here under a guard till he is.""He was fit enough to get here.By thunder, he's fit to go back!" "Y'u've said enough, Mac," broke in Bannister."It's awfully good ofy'u to speak for me, but I would rather see it out with you to a finish.I don't want any favors from this yellow dog of my cousin."The "yellow dog" set his teeth and swore vindictively behind them.He was already imagining an hour when these insolent prisoners of his would sing another tune.
