“And I request,” remarked Moore, “that no gentleman present cut the knots that I have tied. It'll be a favor to me to have Ashby left alone for the present.”
“Now, then, Rafe or Jeff,” spoke the gambler, mustering up what remained of his courage, “since you two have taken charge of affairs, won't you be good enough to inform us what your pleasure is?”
“We're not in charge,” retorted Bodson sullenly. “All we've undertaken to do is to look out for the square deal that you promised, Duff, and which you didn't exhibit in a way that we liked. As for the rest, go ahead when you like—but don't do any more hitting with your fists.”
“We'll go ahead with the lariat, then?” hinted Duff eagerly.
“If that's the pleasure of the gentlemen,” Bodson agreed, bowing slightly.
To the gambler it seemed the opportune moment to rush matters.
“Bring up lariats, two of you,” Duff ordered, turning around to the others. “And don't waste time over it.”
The rawhide ropes were brought. The gambler himself tied the nooses, testing them to see that they ran freely.
“Bring Reade and Hazelton under the trees,” was Duff's next order, which was obeyed. Bodson and Moore, their weapons still in their hands, followed, keeping keen watch over the way the affair was conducted.
“Any choice of trees Reade?” inquired Jin Duff.