When he had disappeared, I led the way into the pine growth at the side of the trail, and we found a boulder which would shield the two of us.
Dragg came first—carrying out the suggestion of his name by pulling at Mr. Pratt with all his strength, and Dawlin pushed behind. They halted often and one of their stops was just below our boulder. They were telling each other what they proposed to do to a certain person who wore a plug-hat.
I drew the two guns from my hip pockets, and I could feel the arm of the judge trembling against my ribs.
But after the three went puffing on and were out of sight, I dropped the weapons into a crevice between the ledges.
“No, I did not intend to shoot them,” I said, when Judge Kingsley asked questions.
We hurried on down the trail.
“But why did you throw away those two good revolvers?” asked the thrifty old chap.
“I only borrowed them. It might seem like stealing if I should carry them back East. I don’t like to have stolen property on my person,” I said.
I did not feel like talking. That remark stopped further conversation.
We caught the train!