“Well, Emerson says so,” he replied, with an apprehensive glance at Mead.
“Well,” said Nick, “if Emerson says so it’s all right. But we’ve had a devil of a ride, and we’d like to get square somehow!”
Mead laughed. “You can tally up with Jim, who’s going to lose his job because I’m too mean to let him run me in.”
Tuttle and Ellhorn turned grimly joyous faces toward Halliday. “If you want to arrest Emerson this morning,” said Ellhorn, “just begin right now! We’re three to three! Come on now and try it!”
The officer edged his horse away: “I’ll wait till the round-up is over. Then you can’t have the excuse that the Fillmore Company’s doing it. But I’ll have him yet, and don’t you forget it!”
“Just like you got him this time!” taunted Ellhorn.
Halliday turned back a red and angry face: “I’ll have him,” he yelled, “if I have to kill the whole damned three of you to get him!”
A derisive shout of laughter was the only answer he received as he and his party galloped back to camp.