“If he should come here and demand that we turn Nate over to him——”
“We’d tell him mañana, Perry. We’ve got to keep Nate out of Bloom’s hands entirely.”
“A nice state of affairs this range has dropped into,” fretted Perry, “when honest cattlemen can’t look to the legal authorities for protection against mobs of lynchers. If we——”
He broke off abruptly and jumped to his feet. The scout also started up.
Old Nomad and Sam Pierce had broken into sight along the timbered trail, running at top speed toward the house.
“I reckon we’re close to a show-down,” said the scout.
“They’re on ther way, Buffler,” puffed the old trapper, as he and Pierce came to the front of the cabin.
“Who, Nomad?”
It was Hattie’s voice from the door.
“The punchers from the H-P ranch gal,” answered the trapper.