For nearly a half hour he waited and then, just as he was thinking that he might as well go back to the others, the sound of voices off to his right caught his ear. Someone was coming toward him and he squirmed farther into the clump of bushes hoping that they would pass without seeing him. He lay perfectly still hardly daring to breathe while the voices rapidly approached and soon two men passed not more than six feet from him. He was unable to see them, but he had no difficulty in recognizing Jim the Penman by his voice. He was not so sure of the identity of the other, but had little doubt that it was one of the half-breeds who had been with him at the shack. He waited until he judged that they had time to reach the shack and then he began slowly to back out. But as it happened he came out of the clump much quicker than he had intended. He had hardly started when his feet were grabbed by a powerful pair of hands and he was violently jerked out. So quickly was it done that he had no time to shout before a huge hand was pressed over his mouth while another seized him by the throat.
“You mak’ der noise an’ I keel you,” a voice hissed in his ear.
He knew that he was no match for the powerful giant and that the latter was quite capable of carrying out his threat. So he kept still and the man, removing his hand from his throat, seized him by the collar and yanked him to his feet.
“You come ’long an’ mak’ no sound,” he ordered as he started for the shack keeping a firm hold on the boy’s collar.
Bob knew that there was nothing to do but obey, so he made no resistance and in a moment they were at the door of the shack which opened just as they reached it and Jim the Penman, followed by the other breed, came out.
“So you have paid us another visit, eh,” Jim sneered. “Well, we’ll see that you don’t get away so easily this time. Tie him up good and strong,” he ordered.
But before the breed could carry out the order a sudden interruption intervened.
“Hands up.”
The order came in stern tones and, as they turned, their eyes met a sight which caused Bob’s heart to jump with joy. Standing just at the edge of the woods were five men and each held a Winchester which was pointing directly at them.
Without a word the hands of the three men shot into the air and Bob, thinking he might not be recognized, did the same.