"Killed nothing," retorted Higgins. "He's just got the wind belted out of him good and plenty. But somebody will get killed sure 'nough if you bad men try any more knife tricks."
"You damn fool!" muttered the scarred man to his companion. "You left that rifle in the canoe."
"They's only two of 'em; let's get 'em."
At that instant the captain moaned painfully.
"Anybody else want the same dose?" asked Higgins.
He and Payne stood poised on the balls of their feet, their fists swinging, ready to hurl themselves forward to meet the expected rush. The captain moaned again. The rush did not materialize.
"That's right," said Roger. "We've got no quarrel with you fellows."
"Who are you?"
"I told you—land buyers."
"What'd you butt in for?"