"Well, you see," began Sammy, with some embarrassment, "we weren't quite sure just who you were. You see we saw you chasing a man the other day and then we saw you had caught him and were getting ready to hang him and—and——"
"And what?" asked the leader with amusement in his eyes, while stifled laughs rose from others of his party.
"Well," said Sammy, in desperation, trying to tell the truth and yet be polite to his hosts, "we thought you were lynchers and maybe outlaws and——"
But here Sammy was stopped by a roar of laughter that rose from all members of the party. They choked and slapped each other on the back, and one or two of them rolled over and over in vain efforts to control their mirth.
"I'm going to strike the director for a raise in salary," cried one.
"We're too good for this business," chuckled another.
"Don't let any one ever tell me again that my acting isn't true to life," laughed a third.
The boys were bewildered and inclined to be offended.
"I don't see anything to laugh about," said Sammy.
This set the men off again until the leader silenced them with a wave of his hand.