“I don’t think it would be quite safe to attempt that, Bob,” said the superintendent. “Sam’s temper is rather uncertain, and he is very fond of using his revolver; but, if you say so, I’ll not give him work.”
“I do say so, certainly. I don’t want him around.”
“All right. And I say, Bob,” added the superintendent, in a lower tone, “we can’t get rid of him until he chooses to go, and, while he is hanging about here, I would be a little careful of myself, if I were in your place. Sam is treacherous and vindictive, and there is no telling what he may make up his mind to do.”
Mr. Jacobs went off about his business, and the three boys kept on to the ranch. When they reached it, Bob and George went to their room to overhaul their fishing-tackle, preparatory to a day’s sport on the lake, while Arthur lingered on the porch. He wanted to see Sam.
CHAPTER XXIII.
OFF FOR CAMP.
“I think Bob is taking a good deal upon himself when he presumes to say who shall be employed on this ranch, and who shall not,” said Arthur to himself. “He has no right to open his head. My father is boss here now, and Bob and Mr. Jacobs will find it out before they are many days older. I wonder if that’s Sam?”
While these thoughts were passing through Arthur’s mind, he was walking slowly along the porch. As he turned the corner of the building, he saw a broad-shouldered, smooth-faced young fellow, leaning against a door-casing, and talking with somebody in the kitchen.
He did not look like one who would risk his life by raiding a town of a thousand inhabitants, “just for the fun of the thing;” but still, there was something about him which told Arthur that he was the man he wanted to see.
The earnest manner in which Bob had cautioned him and George Edwards to beware of the current in the river, and the superintendent’s words of warning, had suggested an idea to Arthur, and it had suddenly occurred to him that Sam would be just the man to assist him in carrying it into execution.
“Bob and George are going over to the other side of the lake to-morrow, to spend two or three days in camp,” he had said to himself. “And if, while they are going up the river, their oars should break and their boat should float down into the current, why, then—”