"You mean that after them boys has blabbed the whole thing, you won't deny it?" demanded James.
"I told you I wouldn't do any lyin'," said Buck sharply.
"All right," said James menacingly. "That's all I want to know."
"How much more do you deserve?" asked Buck, his tone showing irritation for the first time. "Al Peters," he said suddenly, turning to the young man addressed, "I don't think you belong in this crowd, either. If there's any yellow dog in you, I ain't seen it. Don't you want to come along with me and join the men?"
"Buck," said Peters, rising and stepping forward, "I have a good mind to do it."
"Good for you! Now, Jones, let's hear from you. I ain't seen any yellow dog in you either. I think that down underneath you're a man. Don't you want to come along?"
"Buck, I think I will," said Bud Jones.
He spoke as lightly as if a fishing trip had been proposed. He even smiled as he rose and took his stand in the group of which the boys were now the center.
Zack James started up, staring and muttering, his manner suggestive of impotent rage. He drew Thatcher aside and whispered to him.
"How about you, Jenkins?" asked Buck, smiling. "You're new and I hardly know you, but from things I've heard it looks to me like you're pretty nearly all white."