“They ought to come back,” declared Annixter.
“Somebody ought to tell them that those fellows are creeping up.”
By now, the angry argument between the Governor and Ruggles had become more heated than ever. Their voices were raised; now and then they made furious gestures.
“They ought to come back,” cried Osterman. “We couldn't shoot now if anything should happen, for fear of hitting them.”
“Well, it sounds as though something were going to happen pretty soon.”
They could hear Gethings and Delaney wrangling furiously; another deputy joined in.
“I'm going to call the Governor back,” exclaimed Annixter, suddenly clambering out of the ditch. “No, no,” cried Osterman, “keep in the ditch. They can't drive us out if we keep here.”
Hooven and Harran, who had instinctively followed Annixter, hesitated at Osterman's words and the three halted irresolutely on the road before the ditch, their weapons in their hands.
“Governor,” shouted Harran, “come on back. You can't do anything.”
Still the wrangle continued, and one of the deputies, advancing a little from out the group, cried out: