"It's no use, Kal; they got us surrounded."
With an oath the man addressed as Kal backed toward the house. Instantly Bill and Hal stepped into the light and covered him.
"Don't move," said Hal, and Coyote Kal had a solemn moment when the issue was uncertain.
Curley decided for him.
"Don't be a damn fool, Kal; they got us. What's the use?"
"Why didn't you ring the bell," said Kal surlily, "and call the men in?"
"Ring the bell?" sneered Curley. "Ring the bell? Say, wake up. Ring the bell with a couple of cannon up against your bowels? Does it take you a week to tumble? It didn't me. They stole up the dry crik and lassoed me; jerked me into the middle of next week before I knowed what ailed me. Ring the bell! I'll wring your neck if you say that to me ag'in."
"Bill, get that bench against the wall and put it there," indicating the middle of the court-yard. Bill did this with alacrity.
"Now, gentlemen, we're not going to fatigue you. We're going to treat you with distinguished consideration. Please be seated side by side on that bench. You can hold each other's hands if you get lonesome."
The two men obeyed in an apologetic way. Kal growled: "Why don't you tell us what you're up to and be done with it?"