"What does this mea——" he began.
"Hands up, ye rascal!" ordered Ike Watson, so sternly that instantly both arms were raised high overhead. The horse thief, for the man was nothing less, if not much worse, fully understood that his opponent had the "drop" on him and would not stop to parley unless the order to elevate his hands was obeyed.
The second rascal, in his sitting position, attempted to draw a pistol, but Allen, producing his own weapon, forced the man to remain stationary.
"We hev ye, stranger," remarked Watson after a second of silence. "Do ye acknowledge the corn?"
"What's the meaning of this outrage?" growled the fellow who was standing, and he scowled fiercely, first at the old hunter and then at the young ranchman.
"It means firstly that ye are in our power," chuckled Watson. It was evident that he thoroughly enjoyed the situation.
"Well?"
"Then ye acknowledge thet, do ye?"
"I suppose we'll have to."
"It's Ike Watson from Gold Fork," put in the man who was sitting.