"Perhaps some one's after it," suggested another.
"And what good 'd the reward be? It would melt or burn where we'd send him."
"Is it the gate at the stone bridge tonight?"
"No, I have heard it's to be another—one more familiar to some of our members," the speaker continued, casting a furtive glance at a number of the band standing near.
"Suppose it should be the pole of the New Pike gate, and Milt was chosen to do the cutting?" The man at the fire spoke tauntingly.
"The pole of the New Pike gate won't be cut tonight, I'm thinking," said Derr quietly.
"Not if the Captain commands it?"
"No."
"Listen, you fellows—hear what this man's sayin'!"
"And what's more to the point, I'm willing to bet that he isn't going to insist on me cutting it, either," added Derr, glancing about him with a half-defiant air in which there was also the suggestion of a threat.