“Then that will answer, since I also have your company and regiment. Now, then, throw down your cartridge belts.”
“Throw ’em down?” howled the regular called Bill.
“That is what I said. Throw them down at once.”
“But see here, major—”
“I won’t stop to argue with you. Throw the belts down, or take the consequences.”
“And what will the consequences be?” questioned Yadder.
“The consequences will be that I will form myself into a court-martial, find you guilty of desertion, and shoot you down where you stand. Come, do those belts go down or not?”
“I reckon they go down,” grumbled Yadder; and unloosening the article, he allowed it to slip to the floor, seeing which, his companion followed suit.
“Now both of you hold your hands over your heads, while Captain Russell searches you for concealed weapons.”