“No,” returned the boy. “I didn’t have time after things started to break loose.”
“I wonder who did then. But I want to go to the troops. Which way did they go?” But before Bob could answer, Mr. Whitney saw for the first time that Jerry was being held prisoner by the Indian.
“But what does this mean?” he exclaimed. “What are you holding onto King for?”
“He has been the go-between for the cattlemen and the Greasers,” said Bob bitterly, sick that it was his job to tell of his former chum’s treachery. “We’ve caught him, that’s all! When we’ve time I’ll tell you the whole rotten thing.”
“Haven’t you anything to say for yourself?” snapped the man. “Is Bob right?”
Jerry looked at the chief steadily and was about to reply when a yell came to their ears.
“They’re coming!”
Before there was time to figure out who it was that was coming, the hoofbeats and jangling of accouterments foretold the approach of the troopers. A moment later the soldiers trotted down the street under the electric lights that had been turned on when the trouble started. In their midst were a number of sullen looking Mexicans, evidently prisoners.
Mr. Whitney stepped out and halted the troop by hailing the captain, who was in the lead. Tom noticed to his surprise that at the officer’s side was Link O’Day, whom he had met as the foreman of Thaddeus Holman’s ranch. What his appearance on the scene meant was more than the boy could imagine.
The officer halted his men and after a brief talk with Mr. Whitney gave some orders to his lieutenant. The Chief then turned to Bob.