“I’ll leave it to the fellows—no, I’ll leave it to this fellow himself,” shouted Gus, as he stopped and faced Dan, his companions also stopping at the same time.
“Leave what to him?” demanded Ned.
“Whether what I say is true or not.”
“That you’re a mucker?” asked Walter with a sneer.
“No, sir. I’ll just ask him one or two questions, and if he answers them, then I’ll never say another word if they’re not my way. If they prove what I claim, then I’ll leave it with you fellows.”
“Oh, take a rest, Gus. Calm down,” said Hodge. “You talk too much.”
“Let him ask his questions,” said Dan quietly.
“He hasn’t any right to question you,” declared Smith. “He hasn’t any more right than Hodge has or I have. No, nor than you have to ask him questions.”
“Don’t stop him. I’ll answer two questions for him if he’ll let me ask him two after he’s done with me,” said Dan.
“That’s fair. Go ahead, Gus,” said Hodge.