“Suppose I demand it.”
“You kin go ter blazes with yer demand.”
“Men have been found floating in the river for saying less than that to me, Sneaker.”
“Bah! you can't scare me, cap. I ain't no spring chicken. If you fellers want to tackle Rattler 'n me, begin. You're twelve to two, an' maybe you'll down us, but there won't be six left out of yer twelve when you're through, you hear me.”
A murmur of approval went up from behind the masks.
Evidently they liked the grit displayed by the new recruit.
The chief himself did not seem displeased. He took one quick step in advance, and thrust out his hand.
“Well said, Sneaker,” he remarked. “You'll do, I guess. Now, what has Rattler to say for himself?”
“The same that I say; no more, no less.”
“You 're partners?”