"It aer clear that we're in a hole, and has ter fight it out with them critters," said Steve at last after a long silence; "and, sence that's the case, the thing aer ter fix up some way in which ter meet 'em. Thar'll be eight or nine of the varmint. These bands always run ter that number, 'cos then they aer able ter break up opposition, and, 'sides, it keeps people from following. Folks get ter know that it aer useless to go after these bands of robbers onless there's plenty of boys ter help; and sence men aer mostly busy at the diggin's, why, it follows that it aer generally hard ter get the right number. It's only when a band becomes that bad, and has murdered a hull heap of miners and carters, that the sheriff can get a strong enough force together, and by then fellers like this has managed ter divide up the plunder and ter ride ter some other part of the fields. This aer a tarnation fix."
"Supposing," suggested Jack, "we were to——"
He came to a sudden halt, for Ted had turned to look at the supposed sleepers, as if he had detected a noise.
"Yer was supposin'," whispered Abe hoarsely, some minutes later, when the stranger turned away again.
"Jest let's have it, Carrots," added Steve. "Ye've took me through a fix before now. You aer bright enough ter find a way out of this."
"Not out of it. I can suggest a way in which we can get cover and best the men when they come," answered Jack. "There's the cart."
"Ay, thar's the cart," came from Steve wonderingly, for he could see nothing useful there.
"Wall?" demanded Abe.
"Ye've forgot that it's bung full of sacks," whispered Tom, "and, besides, one wheel's broken."
"He ain't forgot nothin'," said Steve sharply. "Carrots don't make mistakes like that. Out with it, youngster."