"Now, if you try to climb up I'll shoot you," said Benson, and ran back swiftly to where the second rascal was just getting out of his unconscious state.
Before the other desperado could realize what was coming he, too, was down in the big hole. Old Benson made certain that each of the men was relieved of all his weapons.
"Now, I'm going to keep watch on you," he said, as a warning. "Be careful of what you try to do."
"Don't leave us here!" pleaded Riley. "A buffalo or a bear might fall in on us."
"You've got to take your chances on that," answered Benson.
The next movement of the old scout was to go back to where the third man was sleeping. It was an easy matter to secure all the weapons belonging to this fellow. Then Benson procured a rope from their outfit, and bound his feet together and then his hands. During the latter operation the rascal awoke.
"Wot yer doin'?" he demanded sleepily, and then, seeing the old scout, stared in open-mouthed astonishment. "Let go o' me! Wot did yer tie me up fer?"
"You keep quiet," said Benson, with a broad smile over the trick he had played.
"Whar's Riley an' Nason?"
"Not far off."