Even when Harry Hazelton related how Dolph Gage and his crew had been served, the mine promoter displayed but little enthusiasm.
"By the way, sir," suggested Tom, "you are not going to use all of your men today?"
"I cannot use any of them for a day or two."
"Then you might do us a great favor by sending a few of your men over here. I expect that Gage's absent comrade will return at any time. He will have his rifle, and one gun in the hands of a marksman, might be enough to make considerable trouble around here."
"You ask me a favor, and yet you won't work for me," complained their guest.
"I think we did you a favor, once upon a time, by helping to chase off the Gage crowd at a critical time for you," said Tom bluntly. "However, if you don't wish——-"
"I'll send half a dozen men over here until Ferrers returns," interjected Mr. Dunlop hastily.
The men reported to Tom and Harry within half an hour. A few minutes after their arrival Harry espied Dolph Gage's absent man galloping over to the Gage claim.
"There would have been trouble, if we hadn't shown a few armed men here," muttered Hazelton.
"There's some excitement in that camp, as it is," exclaimed Tom, who had a pair of binoculars at his eyes. "Gage, Eb and Josh are crowding around the new arrival. Take the glasses, Harry. Note how excited they are about something."