"Yes, but what's his name?" persisted Isham shrewdly. "If we knowed who he was we could danged soon find out for you——"
"I cannot give his name," answered the stranger firmly, and Isham reared up his head.
"Aw, let 'im go on," broke in Red John impatiently. "But say, what about that horse?"
"Well, make your own talk," replied Isham sulkily, and Red came over with a grin.
"That's all right, pardner," he said, "sorry to make you any trouble but we've got to keep watch of these trails. Now about that horse, he's got a New Mexico brand on him and that's liable to git you into trouble; but I've got a big bay that everybody knows, and jest to ride him will git you by anywhere. I'll trade you the bay and ten dollars to boot——"
"No, I'm sorry," returned Hall, "but my horse is a pet and I couldn't consider a trade."
"Give you twenty-five dollars!" urged Red John eagerly, but the stranger shook his head.
"No," he said. "And now can I go?"
"You can go," spoke up Isham, "but I'll have to send along a guide to protect you against the Bassetts. Because if they ketch you now, after you've been stopping with us——"