"If you don't something is going to go off," added Bob.
"You think you are a pretty smart boy, don't you?" sneered the gambler, turning to Mark.
"I believe in standing up for myself."
"What are you going to do with me?"
"That remains to be seen. I want you to tell us where our two friends are."
"If you don't, we'll make you prisoners and let the other emigrants know what you've been up to," put in Bob.
"We didn't steal the outfit," insisted Sag Ruff. "We found it on the trail, just as I said before."
"Where was Si Williams? We left him in charge."
"Didn't see a soul around the wagon or mule," put in Soapy Gannon.
There was another pause. To tell the truth, neither of the boys knew exactly what to do. To keep the gambler and his tool at bay was one thing; to make them close prisoners was quite another. In a tussle the rascals might get the better of the contest. Both Bob and Mark preferred to keep them at a distance.