“What’s that?”

“Join our band.”

“And become a——”

“Robber, bandit, or whatever you choose to call it.”

Tom laughed.

“I don’t think my friends would approve of it,” he said. “Shall I write to them and ask?”

“I am not joking,” said Alonzo. “We want a boy like you to brighten us up. You might be useful besides. We’ll give him a fair share of all we make, won’t we, men?”

“I’m agreed.”

“And so am I.”

“And I,” said all.