“I’m takin’ no chances,� he whispered in Roy’s ear. “Don’t you talk till I say so! Do you hear?�
A moment more, and the sound of Teddy’s horse died away in the distance.
“Guess he’s gone,â€� Froud declared. “But I don’t want no funny work, savvy? Don’t think that because I haven’t got this gun stuck in yore ribs that I ain’t got you covered. You keep both yore hands on the pommel of yore saddle—no lower.â€�
“If you didn’t steal our broncs, what’s the idea of being so touchy?� Roy asked in as innocent a voice as he could summon. “Why not let me ride on and try to find the thieves who took Bug Eye’s flivver?�
“That’s my business!� Froud retorted savagely. “When I wants advice from you, I’ll ask for it, see? I ain’t forgot how your old man kicked me off the X Bar X!�
“He had a right to!� Roy cried angrily. “You were mistreating Flash, and you know it! Dad didn’t want a man of your type about the place.�
“Oh, he didn’t, hey?â€� Froud growled. An ugly frown came to his face. “He’s pretty pertic’lar, ain’t he? That bronc of yore brother’s needed a good lickin’, and I was givin’ it to him. I was interrupted. But since then I—â€� he stopped suddenly.
“You finished it, you mean!� Roy exclaimed, his fists clenched. “Froud, if you’ll drop that gun I’ll have it out with you right here!�
“Nice little hero!� Froud sneered. “College boy wants to fight bold bad man, does he? G’wan, you little rat! I could break you in two! Now shut up! I don’t know where your broncs are, an’ that’s the end of that! You can see I ain’t ridin’ Flash, or either of the other two. This is my own hoss. Satisfied?�
“I’ll have to be, I guess,� the boy said in a low voice.