In the first place there was Bumpus, excitedly covering first one and then the other; and how were they to make sure but that he might, even by accident, have a cramp in his finger, while looking along the double-barreled Marlin?
Then, as if that were not enough, four other guns were bearing upon them, as the new arrivals advanced in a line.
“It’s too big odds, younkers, an’ we gives in;” but Hank used a good many more words than this to express his disgust, only the rest were not at all necessary.
He threw his gun down angrily on the ground; Pierre was just as energetic, and both men fairly glared at their boyish captors.
“Step Hen, lay down your gun, and secure those of the enemy,” ordered Thad.
With a wide grin decorating his freckled face, Step Hen proceeded to carry out the injunction of the patrol leader. And one could easily see that the boy took the keenest delight in thus having a hand in disarming the enemy.
“Now,” continued Thad, “search Hank for a knife, and take it away. Get his cartridge belt too; and when you’ve done that, give Pierre a whirl. We’ll just stand around, and be ready to plunk them chock full of lead if they try to resist.”
But the men were utterly disheartened. They seemed to realize that they were up against a tough proposition. Everything was going wrong; and the philosophy of your timber cruiser under such conditions is to appear indifferent and reckless. Perhaps they try to act very much on the same principle as an Indian would, upon being put to the torture.
After fully disarming the men Thad saw to it that both of them were tied up. Hank growled fearfully, but the half-breed seemed to take the whole affair somewhat in the light of a good joke. This seemed all the more strange because nearly all half-breeds, Thad had been told, were surly by nature.
When this duty had been well performed, Thad joined the others about the fire. Bumpus had had his hand shaken again and again until his whole arm began to feel the result.