"Halt right there!" roared the sheriff.
"—and prove myself innocent of the charge," Apache ended.
"Well, then," said the sheriff, "I reckon here's where we become allies and you gets on the side o' law and order for once. Take that," and he clapped the butt of his Colt into Apache Kid's hand. "Draw close, boys, till I palaver" and he rose from his rock seat, with his Winchester lying on his arm.
"Well, gentlemen," he said. "I reckon you's all aware that you are buttin' up ag'in law and order," he began.
"Law is gettin' kind of tender-hearted," replied one of the newcomers. "We want to see justice done."
"I don't seem to know your face," said the sheriff.
"Oh! We 're mostly from outside your jurisdiction," was the reply. "We jest came along up from the Half-Way House to see that justice is done in this yere matter."
"I don't know 'em," said the sheriff to Apache Kid.
"That's not their fault," said Apache Kid. "I know two of them by head-mark. A fat lot they care for seeing justice done. It's revenge they want on the loss of Farrell."
"What about Farrell?" said the sheriff. "You did n't tell me."