"You fellers pull up them stakes and begin packin' your stuff, or I'll crack a few heads. I know what I'm doin'. Squire Lowder'll stand back of me."
Kingdon came up to the constable, with a good natured smile, and laid a soothing hand upon his shoulder.
"Why all the disturbance, Mr. Squibb?" he asked. "Don't get overheated on this sweet and pleasant day——"
"And this bunch of fellows is a sweet and pleasant crowd, I s'pose, Mr. Kingdon?" snapped Enos. "And my name's Quibb, not Squibb, if you please."
"Sure, Mr. Fibb. My mistake," said Rex. "What's doing?"
"You know well enough," said the angry Enos. "You helped fool me, too——"
"Never!" groaned Kingdon. "You know, Mr. Constable, you are a man who can't be fooled by a parcel of boys. You said so."
"Aw—well. I wasn't sure. This chap had that permit from the Manatee Company."
"Of course," said Kingdon easily. "It didn't matter who showed you the paper—as long as we had it and you saw it?"
Midkiff uttered a grunt that was almost an ejaculation of pain. "I knew it!" he growled.