"Get up or I'll turn you over!"
They rose hastily, their guns sliding to the ground.
"Back off there, now, and face the other way."
They obeyed like soldiers on drill.
Captain Bill stepped into the creek, about three feet deep, and waded across. He noticed a bag, doubtless containing the stolen money, and observed that the robbers had laid their cartridges out on a log for convenient use. At that moment McCauley and McClure came hurrying up, apparently ready to shoot.
"Hold up boys! It's all right," said McDonald, "I've got 'em!"
McCauley and McClure waded across and assisted in searching the prisoners. A purse of gold was found in one of the men's pockets; the sack on the ground contained silver.
"Now, let's get out of this," said McDonald, "and get where it's warm."
"You're not going to make us wade that cold creek, are you" said Lewis, shivering.