“Won’t you sit down and have a snack with us?” asked Professor Zepplin. “We were eating when Tad fired that shot. That was very careless of you, young man. You might have killed someone.”
“I reckon he knew whom he was shooting at,” answered the gold digger. “You see, this isn’t the first time that young fellow and myself have met.”
187“Of course not. We all met on the ‘Corsair,’” spoke up Rector.
“He and I have met since then,” answered Darwood. “I reckon you know all about it. He came spying on our camp this morning just after daylight, and–”
“You know that isn’t true,” interjected Tad. “Why don’t you tell it straight if you are bound to tell it?”
The miner let one hand fall to his holster.
“Up in this country they don’t call men liars,” answered Darwood, looking Butler coldly in the eyes.
“Then men shouldn’t place themselves in a position to be called liars,” retorted Tad boldly. “You had better take your hand from your revolver. If you will take the time to glance at the rock to your right you may possibly see something to interest you.”
The miner cast a quick glance of inquiry in the direction indicated, and found himself looking into the muzzle of a rifle, laid over the top of the rock. Behind the rifle was Chunky, one eye peering over the sights.
Tad laughed.