“Can’t wait for that,” returned White briskly. “Get your horses.”
Hippy bristled.
“My dear sir, even if you are the United States Government, we are not going to leave this camp unprotected. If you can’t wait, have your companion remain here and guard it until our return. Understand? I refuse to leave this camp unprotected, nor can you make me do so. Now, which shall it be—strike camp or have the other guard stay here?”
The trooper eyed Lieutenant Wingate steadily for a few seconds, and the lieutenant returned the gaze in kind.
“Strike your camp!” ordered White tersely.
Hippy nodded to his companions. Badger grinned. He was much pleased that Hippy had faced the troopers and made them give in to him, but he well knew that the party was not yet at the end of their troubles. There was still Colonel Appleby at the fort to be reckoned with, and the colonel was known to be a stern man. Of course the Overland Riders were not yet bothering themselves about the colonel.
Within half an hour the camp was struck and the outfit packed, the two troopers interestedly observing the work, and nodding approvingly. The Overland party set out soon after that, White and his companion riding ahead, Jim Badger bringing up the rear, but this morning the Riders were unusually quiet.
After reaching the fort on the plateau where the Mammoth Springs Hotel was located, White ordered his prisoners to dismount and follow him. They were escorted into Colonel Appleby’s presence.
“What have you to say to this?” demanded the colonel, after Trooper White had briefly stated the case against the Overlanders.
“We do not deny the facts, sir,” replied Tom Gray. “I assure you, though, that there was no intent to violate Park regulations.”