They knew him, and a volley of oaths came from them.
'He's not your horse,' said one of the men.
'That's my business. He is not yours, and you took him out of my yard. Hand him over.'
'You'll suffer for this, Jim Dennis. Abe Dalton is not the man to forget it.'
'You tell Abe Dalton and the whole of your dirty gang that I am not afraid of any of you. Now hand over the horse.'
He rode forward, still keeping his revolver handy.
The horse was handed over, and the man who had spoken before said,—
'We'll be even with you for this.'
'You are a set of cowards,' said Jim. 'There is not a fair fight in you. I am not afraid of half-a-dozen such as you.'
Then he thought, if they have revolvers it may be awkward, but he knew, after a moment's consideration, that had such been the case they would have risked it and used them.