“But our horses!� Teddy demanded. “Where are they?�
“Oh, they’re safe. We got ’em corralled with the cattle. I said I didn’t steal ’em, and I didn’t. But I saw ’em stolen. I was leanin’ against Rimor’s Place that day you met me. It was Froud that took yore broncs. He said yore dad kicked him off yore ranch, an’ he wanted to get even. I tole him to ferget it, but he wouldn’t. Said he’d get square if it was the last thing he ever did—that he wanted to finish beatin’ a certain hoss. It was this that turned me against him. I may be a rustler, but I never beat no hoss! Nor hurt one!â€�
“Did Froud beat the pony?� Teddy asked, his eyes gleaming with a strange light. “Did he?�
“Started to. I seen him, an’ made him quit. Guess he got sore at me then, an’ decided to do me an’ keep the cattle we rustled fer himself!�
Teddy looked at the man sympathetically.
“You wouldn’t let him whip Flash? I’ll remember that. Go ahead. Tell us where our ponies are.�
“Will you let me go if I do?� the man asked cunningly.
Roy glanced at his brother. Teddy knew what was in Roy’s mind, for it was in his own, too. They could get Flash, Star, and General back. Also, they might recapture the cattle stolen from the 8 X 8. If they could get Froud, too, and jail him, together with the other rustlers, the country would be rid of a band of rascals.
On the other hand, here was the man who had confessed that he was the ringleader. If they let him go, he might start another gang and create more disturbance.
“Will you promise to give up horse stealing if we do?� Roy demanded.