'Five,' said Willie, who was present. 'What about me?'
Adye Dauntsey smiled as he replied,—
'You must ask your father about that, Willie.'
'He can go with us if he wishes,' said Jim, looking at him admiringly.
'I can shoot well,' said the lad.
'You can,' said Dr Tom. 'You beat me at revolver practice the last time we met.'
'That settles it,' said the magistrate. 'We will include Willie. Now, how many men are there at Barker's Creek?'
'A score or more,' said Jim, 'and all desperate characters. We need not reckon the blacks.'
'They like a fight sometimes,' said Dr Tom.
'Dalton's men have ill-treated them. They are more likely to turn on his gang than attack us,' said Jim.