"I think it is."
The words came in a loud tone from the sled as Mr. Lakewood threw the blanket off and got to his feet.
"You!"
"Yes, it is I."
"But how—how—"
"Never mind how," Mr. Lakewood interrupted. "I'm here and do you know what I'm going to do to you?"
"No, but seeing it's four to one, I suppose you'll take me back and file a complaint against me."
"And that's where you're wrong. Bob," he said turning to the boy, "cover him with your gun. Now, Jack, you frisk him," he ordered as soon as Bob had obeyed. "Now you can put up your gun," he added after Jack had taken two revolvers from the man's belt. "Long, you struck me once when I wasn't looking and in falling I hurt my back, a fact which put me in your power for a long time. But the back's well now and I'm going to give you the sweetest licking you ever had in your life. Then you can go your way and I'll go mine and the score will be settled."
The boys started to remonstrate, but their uncle stopped them.
"No, it's no use. I never had much use for the law when it came to a thing of this sort and this is a pleasure I've been promising myself for a long time."