Drury drew low, cursed his luck. McClintock on one knee lacing a shoepack grinned at him.
"I wisht you'd sponge off my cayuse's back, Joe. He's gettin' sore. While you're about it, with nothin' else to do, you might go over the whole lot."
Drury's retort put his first outburst in the shade. Laughter stirred him to fresh efforts.
"Now, boys!" said Bush.
He took the lead, Rennie behind him, then Angus.
Angus was glad to be out of the saddle, and glad, too, that the end of the chase was at hand. With the death of Blake much of his interest in it had vanished. There was still Gavin, who if Braden's dying declaration was to be believed had killed his father. But strangely enough he felt little or no enmity toward him. He thought he should feel more. Turkey, behind him, spoke.
"I guess this is the finish of that bunch. If they start anything, we want to get Gavin—if he killed father."
Angus was silent for a moment. There was the possibility that it would not be a one-sided affair. He was not troubled for himself, but Turkey was rash.
"Don't take any chances, kid, if there is trouble."
"Not a chance," Turkey replied cheerfully. "Anybody that beats me to the trigger will have to go some."