"It's the truth, Benson. But, say, don't be rough on me. I aint such a bad egg. Dat shootin'——"
"I know all about you, Anderson. Now come with me."
Reaching down, the old scout untied the rascal's feet, that he might walk, and then forced Anderson to journey to the big hole.
Here they found the other two desperadoes sitting at the bottom, growling over their luck and speculating upon what old Benson intended to do next.
"If you leave us here we'll die of hunger and thirst," said one.
"No, you won't," answered the old scout. "You've got your hands to work with, and if you aint lazy you can dig your way to the top inside of twenty-four hours."
"And our hosses?"
"I'll take care of them, Riley. If you want 'em again you can get 'em by applying at the fort."
"At the fort!"
"Exactly, and in the meantime we'll keep them in exchange for the animals Matt Gilroy stole, when I and my friends were stopping at Hank Leeson's cabin."