“It’s yersilf as nades it most,” said Barney, bound to have the last word.
Cliff evidently found Barney’s tongue equal to his own, for he abandoned the conversation in a sullen fashion.
Bessie Rodman made no attempt at speech.
She sat silently in one corner of the wagon.
Frank Reade, Jr., also remained silent.
The twenty miles were quickly covered by the Steam Man. It was yet far from the noon hour when they arrived at the camp of the previous night.
The cowboys in full force were there, and as Cliff appeared with the Steam Man, they made the welkin ring with yells of delight and satisfaction.
All crowded around to examine the steam wonder and inspect its mechanism.
The prisoners looked out upon a sea of faces. They were not kindly regarded by the cowboys.
“Take ‘em out and shoot ‘em, Cliff!” cried a voice in the crowd.