“Over yon,” answered Pete indefinitely, with a wave of his hand.
“Well, it’s truly remarkable that you should be able to capture so many of them. They outnumber you, it appears. If they are such desperate men, it surely is a strange thing that you could take them all.”
“We has a way of doing things sometimes, mister. Let me advise you to keep your own eyes open. Mebbe some o’ that bunch you has is not to be trusted too far.”
“There is no reason why they should betray me,” was the assertion. “I have nothing on my person that could tempt them. They will be paid well when we reach our destination. That should be enough to guarantee their faithfulness to me.”
“You’re some wise in leaving your valuables behind,” nodded Curry.
Some of the captives attempted to converse with the newcomers, but Curry’s companions promptly put a stop to that. Between Spotted Dan and one or two of them passed significant looks. The horsemen dismounted, as if to take a brief rest and give their animals a breathing spell.
Gad Hackett lighted his pipe and engaged one of Curry’s comrades in conversation. Seeing this, Curry approached them and quietly said:
“You talks a little, Bill—a very little.”
Bill nodded.
“I knows my business, Pete,” he assured.