Of course Hal could not shoot, and the rest seeing that, also came out from cover.
Chuckling, all but the one whose jaw Hal had injured, the wretches moved forward, halting just under the tree.
"Coming down now?" demanded the leader, directing the muzzle of his stolen rifle up the tree.
"Ever hear what the treed 'coon said to Davy Crockett?" inquired the scoundrel facetiously.
"If it's a chestnut I'll stand hearing it again," proposed the young sergeant.
"Well, friend, when the raccoon saw Davy pointing his gun upward, he called down: 'Don't shoot, Davy! I'll come down.'"
"Great!" mocked young Overton.
"Are you going to do like the 'coon?"
Hal's answer was to raise his right hand suddenly and hurling his now useless revolver.