"Well, yes, and it seems I'm not the only one in that plight," retorted the other, with the quick repartee belonging to these people.
His companion laughed good-naturedly at the thrust, and the two rode on together for some little distance, when Milton Derr, suddenly changing the drift of the talk said:
"Well, I've been thinking over that matter we were speaking about the other day."
"To what purpose?" asked the other.
"I'm in half a notion to become a member of the band."
"The other half's needed before you can get in, you know," answered Steve, laconically.
"Well, I'm nearing that point now," admitted Derr, after a thoughtful pause. "I think I should like to have some voice in this question of free roads myself, as it promises to be an important one."
"In that case I can easily arrange it for you. There'll be but few men around here who won't belong to the band before toll-gate raiding is over," said the other, impressively. "Folks have been bled by fat corporations long enough."
"When could I join?" asked Derr, after some moments of meditative silence.
"When?" echoed his companion. "Tonight, if your mind's made up."