He looked again at the short man, who was now gazing calmly out over the river. The boys breathed sighs of relief and thanksgiving, for it seemed they were to be saved for the moment, at least, from their most imminent peril of being murdered in the woods.
"What?" cried Jim, angrily. "Yeh told me yeh'd shoot 'em if I got 'em fer yeh."
"I find they ain't deservin' uh death," returned Yeager, with dignity. "Leastways, not unless ordered by a reg'lar military court."
"Oh, thunder!" exclaimed Jim. He frowned in disappointed hatred at Al, then turned and walked away.
"Well, I must be goin'," said he. "I got business up to Lexington."
"Hold on!" cried Yeager. "What's yer hurry? We're just startin' fer Arrer Rock to take these prisoners to General Price. I want you fer a witness ag'in 'em."
"Aw, no, I can't do no good," returned Jim, hastily, continuing to back away. "I've told yeh all I know about 'em. I got to go."
Then he felt a nudge on his arm and looked at the short man, who had risen and, with his hand on his big holster, was gazing up into Jim's face.
"Pshaw, you'd better come with us," said he, in a soft voice.