When the raiders had been bound the owner of the Three Stars had sent his men to bring down all the ponies, that the animals might be relieved of their saddles and enjoy the tender grass in the valley. And no sooner had Blackhawk reached the open than he gave an ear-splitting whinny which was answered by several of the raiders' horses.
At the racket two or three of the thieves awoke and tried to get up.
For a moment the men blinked at the sight of the cowboys. Then, their senses returning, they discovered they were tied hand and foot, and in a trice they were yelling like a band of Indians.
"Go it! Go it!" howled the cowboys.
The shouts roused the prisoners in the cave, and their yells of rage added to the pandemonium.
"Come on in to see Megget," exclaimed Lawrence. "I say, Mr. Wilder, can't Larry and Tom go in first alone? You promised, you know."
Willing that his men should have their fun, the owner of the
Half-Moon laughingly consented.
And with the others following close, the brothers went into the cave.
Entering thoroughly into the spirit of the occasion, Larry approached the struggling chief.
"Why, how do you do again, Mr. Megget?" he exclaimed, bowing in
mock deference. "What's the trouble? You seem to be down and out.
Quite a difference from when you were teasing me at that station in
Oklahoma, eh?"