Snell and the others looked up in the greatest surprise when they heard the sentinels coming.
All the men got to their feet, for some had been sitting, and guns were shown freely.
“What ye got thar?” demanded the chief of the gang.
“A spy,” replied the leader of the sentinels.
“Find him up thar?”
“Yes—behind that rock. He crep’ up jest as ef he knowed thar was suthin’ to see below.”
“The skunk!”
“Prob’ly,” went on the sentinel, “he was put onto the thing by them galoots,” and he pointed to Snell and his companion.
“That’s it!” roared more than one, angrily.
“So this is what ye call bein’ on the square, is it?” exclaimed the chief, turning to Snell’s companion, fiercely. “Ye make a deal to meet us here alone to talk business, and give the tip to a pryin’ detective, do ye? An’ do ye think ye’ll git outen it with hull skins? Wal, I don’t think!”