"But," began his elder brother.
"Am I the master here or are you?" he demanded, an ugly glitter flashing into his eyes.
"I'll take it back; you are right, Jess," apologized Frank.
"Any of you got any dynamite? I left some in the cave, where is it?"
"I reckon we can't git that now," grinned Tony sheepishly, "But I 'low we can scare up a few sticks."
From various receptacles in their clothing, the desperadoes drew little white sticks of the harmless-looking, but deadly explosive, all of which they handed over to their chief. Next came a coil of fine copper wire and a small compact battery.
Jesse took the collection and examined it closely.
"Good," he exclaimed.
"Are we with you in this?" asked Wild Bill. "I allow the boys would like to pay off a little of your score," pointing to the livid marks on his shoulders, discernible through the bandit chieftain's torn shirt.