"Settles it!" snarled Miller, furious with disappointment. "It war settled afore! I claim that ther first draw counts."
"An' I claim that it don't," returned the youthful moonshiner, without lifting his voice in the least. "You-uns all agreed ter ther second draw, an' that lets them off."
"Oh, you have worked it slick!" grated the disappointed Black Cap. "But them critters ain't out o' ther maountings yit!"
"By that yer mean—jes' what?"
"They're not liable ter git out alive."
"Ef they-uns is killed, I'll know whar ter look fer ther one as war at ther bottom o' ther job—an' I'll look!"
Muriel did not bluster, and he did not speak above an ordinary tone, but it was plain that he meant every word.
"Wal," muttered Miller, "what do ye mean ter do with them critters—turn 'em out, an' let 'em bring ther officers down on us?"
"No. I'm goin' ter keep 'em till they kin be escorted out o' ther maountings. Thar ain't time ter-night, fer it's gittin' toward mornin'. Ter-morrer night it can be done."
Miller said no more. He seemed to know it was useless to make further talk, but Frank and Barney knew that they were not yet out of danger.