"But you gave your word."
"An' I tuk it back. Had my fingers crossed when I made that bargain," the man sneered.
"Then you're a bigger scoundrel than I thought."
"Yer better keep a civil tongue in yer mouth or it'll be the worse fer yer. I'm boss here an' what I say goes. Yer ain't in no position ter call me any names an' yer might git me mad an' when I git mad I'm a holy terror let me tell yer. But s'pose I give yer another chance ter stay with us?"
For a moment Royce hesitated as though considering the proposition and the boys strained their ears to catch his answer.
"You mean it?" he finally asked.
"Mebby."
"I'll accept on condition that you let the girl go," Royce said quickly.
"Yer're in no position ter make conditions," Hains snapped. "I want a plain yes or no."
"Yes, then."