The man indicated did not betray that these words had reached his ears, although he had not missed the statement.
“He looks more like a missionary than a mining man,” declared Curry.
As the new arrivals reached the captives and their guards, Felton Cleveland was soon looking the captives over with an expression of interest, not to say of sympathy. He turned to the deputy sheriff and observed:
“It seems hardly possible, sir, that so many men could be lawbreakers; still, their faces indicate that they are desperate characters.”
“I reckon you’re some unfamiliar with this part of the country,” returned the officer. “We tries to keep our towns clean, but down along the Mexican border there are a few bad men. Sometimes they go in bunches.”
“But it is remarkable that you should capture so many of them at one time. Do you mind telling how it happened?”
“I am not feeling a whole lot like talking just now,” returned the deputy sheriff. “I opines you takes my word for it that they are just what I says.”
“Oh, certainly, sir—certainly,” nodded Cleveland. “I don’t dispute you in the least. I assure you it is not mere idle curiosity on my part, for I have interests in this part of the country, and I wish to be well informed about it and its inhabitants. However, if you don’t care to tell me what these men have been doing, we will let it drop.”
“Well, I don’t mind saying that they was caught redhanded trying to jump a claim. Mebbe that is the charge made agin’ a few o’ them, but I reckons the most of the bunch is to face things a heap more serious.”
“Trying to jump a claim?” said Cleveland. “Where was this, if you don’t mind giving that much information?”