“I guess I’ll move on, since you don’t seem glad to see me. I seem to have interrupted you, I would say.”
There was a second’s pause, then Ted heard someone speak.
“Throw up your hands, Red, quick. I think, now that you’re here, you’ll stay awhile.”
Ted’s heart jumped. It was beating so loudly that he was sure they could hear it.
The boy wanted to stay and hear more, but he knew there would be great need of haste. Cautiously he made his way back to where his horse was busy trying to find something at which he could nibble.
Once out of earshot, the boy made speed. His friend was in trouble and he was depending upon him to get help. Red certainly was brave and fearless, thought Ted, as he urged his horse to his best speed. He was very glad that Red had taken him along on this adventure. He hoped that he could be of service. What if he were too late? Faster, faster.
Scout proved his gameness. He seemed to understand what was wanted of him and he waited for no urging.
A little more than an hour later a very excited boy was explaining to wide-awake Smiles. That same Smiles had awakened at the first call and even as he listened had awakened the other men. None of them asked questions. They worked on the principle of getting ready first, then questioning could come later. And so, even before Ted was through, they were ready.
As they started off, Smiles turned to some of them and explained: “Red has the McGowan gang up above. Rather, the McGowan gang has Red. He’s expecting us, but we had better hurry, or it might get too warm for him. Ted was with him until Red hurried him back to us while he palavers with them and makes them feel that he is all sorts of a fool and hasn’t had some such little plan as this all along. If it was anyone else, I’d say that they would see through it all, but I have faith in Red. It’s up to us to hurry.”
Twenty eager men, ready for anything. The possibility of trouble pleased some of the more reckless, like Pete, but all of them were interested in getting McGowan, against whom they had sworn enmity.