"Do you surrender?" demanded the sheriff.
"Don't know but what I'll have to," responded Link Axton. "You've got the bulge on us. But what is it all about?" he added with an air of innocence. "We aint done no harm."
"You haven't?" put in Owen. "You were going to steal these things!"
"How do you know that?"
"We overheard your talk yesterday."
"And you are caught red-handed, Axton," put in Mr. Paxton, coming up. "I reckon this pays you up for stealing some of my timber two years ago," he continued warmly.
"Didn't steal your timber, an' wasn't stealin' nuthin' now," retorted Link Axton; yet, when the sheriff brought forth two pairs of handcuffs and adjusted one pair to his wrists he was much disturbed.
The second pair of handcuffs was for Baptiste Ducrot. He protested volubly, both in English and French, against being made a prisoner, but Sheriff Folsom would not listen to him.
"There have been enough lodges and camps robbed in this county," he said grimly. "Reckon we'll make examples of you and Axton, and that will teach the other thieves a lesson."
Under the sheriff's directions, several went into the lodge, where they found two boxes and a half-dozen other bundles tied up ready to be taken away. The things outside were brought in once more, and a man was detailed to guard the lodge until Jefferson Wilbur could be notified.