"I presume you hung around here and saw my brother go off first and then waited for us to go away."
"I ain't standing here as a target for questions," growled Captain Grady.
"You are a sneak and worse, Captain Grady!" burst out Chet. "If there is any law in Idaho you shall have your full dose of it, mark my word!"
"Hi! you young bantam, don't talk to me in that fashion," roared the man in a rage. "Come, I've told you what is best to do. Now clear out. I shall keep watch, an' if you attempt to play any trick in the dark on me you'll find yourself running up against a charge of buckshot."
That Captain Grady was in dead earnest was very evident. He scowled viciously and walked a step forward.
Yet the boys were not daunted. They held their ground, and Paul even took a slight move forward on Lilly's back.
"Supposing we go to Dottery's ranch," said the youth. "If we tell our story, don't you imagine Dottery will turn in and help us bounce you out of here?"
"No, you'll get no help at Dottery's."
"He is our friend, and he will not stand up for your doings, even if you do own the ranch over the river."
"Well, why don't you go an' see Dottery," snapped Captain Grady.