"Boys," he at length began. "I'm sore upset to-night. I've brought yez bad news—the gang's gone down in the Rapids."
The effect of this message was most startling. With a muttered oath Siwash Bill leaped to his feet and confronted the horseman. Pete sat on the stool like a statue. His lower jaw dropped and his eyes bulged big with astonishment. Even the Indian woman paused in her work and looked up. Her eyes glowed with a strange light, whether of sorrow or fierce joy she alone knew.
"Speak, speak, man, fer God's sake!" shouted Pete, "an' tell us what ye mean."
"Haven't I told ye?"
"Yes, yes. But don't stop there. Tell us all. When did it happen, an' where's the kid?"
"Damn if I know where the brat is. I thought you knew. Why didn't ye ask that stranger?"
"The stranger. What has he to do with the kid? What are ye drivin' at?"
"Nuthin' much, 'cept he had 'im."
"Had 'im?"
"Sure thing."