“Why do you say that?� Teddy asked, leaning forward.
“Because I seen him!� Bug Eye exclaimed. “That’s why! I was on the range that day the bunch was cut from our herd. I saw ’em go, too, an’ made a dash for the rustlers. But they got away. There was one buckeroo who took a pot shot at me, an’ I saw him close! He was the one with the scar on his face, an’ he’s the one who stole that flivver, or I’m a Siamese twin!�
“You don’t know his name, do you?� Roy demanded excitedly.
“You mean what he calls himself? No, I don’t! An’ I don’t want to either! I don’t need no introduction to a rattlesnake to shoot him!�
In the excitement, Gus Tripp had arisen and was listening with the rest. Now he walked forward and held out his uninjured hand to the driver of the stolen flivver.
“Shake, Bug Eye,� he said solemnly. “You an’ me are together on that. I’m lookin’ fer that very same rattlesnake!�
“What happened to you?� Bug Eye asked, in surprise.
“Little accident,� and Gus grinned sardonically. “Accident caused by that hombre with the scar on his face you tell about bein’ interested in. He shot me.�
“Yea? You don’t say! Well, by golly, we’ll get him! Shake!�
“Here, we’re in on this!� Pop Burns cried, stepping forward. “He stole three of our best horses, each one with the purtiest X Bar X brand on it you ever see, ’cause I branded ’em myself!�