“That there young man will tell you, him and Mr. Whyland.”
“Whyland!” The colonel was deadly pale now. “Is he—”
“Yes, he is here,” said a calm voice; and the gentleman stepped forward. “Colonel Mendix, when we parted in the East years ago, I guess you did not expect that we would meet some day out here.”
The Spaniard bit his lips. He was trembling with fear.
“I—I—what do you want?” he faltered.
“We want our rights,” replied Oliver.
“There is nothing here for you.”
“I think there is,” returned Mr. Whyland. “Mr. Shattock!” he called out, and a tall, sharp-eyed stranger rode from under cover.
“The sheriff of the county!” muttered Colonel Mendix, and on the instant his backbone seemed to desert him.