CHAPTER XVI.
BLINKY SPOILS A SOMBRERO.
If astonishment and uneasiness were depicted on the countenances of Clark Jennings and his companions, equally amazed looks were cast upon the newcomers by Mr. Harkness's party. The rancher was the first to recover his voice.
"Well, Clark," he said rather sternly, "what are you doing here?"
"We're not stealing sheepmen's land and feed from them, Mr. Harkness," spoke up Clark boldly, as soon as he saw by the rancher's manner that the party was not, as he had at first feared, aware of Rob's strange fate.
"We won't discuss that old question now, Clark," said Mr. Harkness leniently. "As long as there are sheepmen and cattlemen that question will always be productive of strife, more's the pity. Besides, certain fence-cutting incidents——"
"You can't say I cut your fences!" sputtered Clark angrily.
"Certainly not. I never dreamed of doing such a thing—without the proper evidence."