Larkin laughed harshly.
“I’ll never give it up until I am either dead or haven’t a dollar left,” he replied. “I am determined to have my rights in this matter, and I shall have them whatever the cost.”
For a time there was silence between them, each realizing that further discussion could only prove unhappy.
They had gone about two miles from the scene of the stampede when suddenly a man appeared close in front of them and commanded them to halt.
“Hello, Sims!” cried Larkin joyfully, recognizing the other’s voice, but at the same time hoisting his hands above his head.
“Well, chief,” said the herder imperturbably, 120 returning his revolver to its holster, “I allow your vacation has cost you a lot of money.”
Bud then outlined his experiences briefly, concluding with his story of the stampede, and Sims whistled in amazement, his one method of expressing astonishment.
“Well, what’s the story now?” Bud asked.
Juliet had walked ahead when the two men met, and now Larkin dropped far enough behind to be out of ear-shot and yet keep the girl dimly in sight.
Hurriedly, for him, Sims related the story of the ill-fated expedition up to the time of the stampede. He and the herders had put up what defense they could, he said, and, as a result, two of his men were dead and the others scattered. However, he expected they would return to the now deserted camp.