“Put up that gun, Benner!” said the scout.
“I’m my own boss,” roared Benner, “and I’ll not put it up till I get ready. I’d as soon send a bullet through you as through the meddling sky pilot.”
The scout spurred forward, straight toward Benner. For an instant it seemed as though the cattle baron would shoot, but he caught the scout’s eye and his hand grew paralyzed.
The scout, drawing rein at Benner’s saddle stirrup, twisted the revolver out of his hand and flung it to one of Benner’s cowboys.
“Keep that for him,” said he. “Benner may be a big man on the Brazos, but he’s not big enough to buck the United States Government. Now listen, every one of you men. I’ve something to say that’s of vital importance to all of you.
“The lawless doings on the Brazos have been heard of far beyond the confines of Texas. It was to investigate them that I came here. Chance, luck, what you will, threw me right into the thick of plot and counterplot before I had reached the town of Hackamore.
“Do you, Benner, or you, Phelps, want a company of regulars marching down the Brazos? Do you want your ranch buildings burned, your cattle scattered? Do you want to be run to cover and made to answer for your criminal deeds? If you do, make just one more move in this campaign of lawlessness. You seem to have all the legal machinery of this county under your thumbs, but I reckon you understand that fighting the United States Government is a different proposition.
“What do you fellows want, peace or war? I am here to give you either. All you have to do is to make a choice.
“If you’re for peace, there are conditions. Perry must be left alone. Any further persecution of him will be a signal for that company of regulars. The Star-A cattle that have been rustled and driven off must be returned. Those are the terms for peace.
“If you don’t want peace, then I give you my word that you, Benner, and you, Phelps, will see the inside of a federal prison, and that all your wealth won’t keep you out. That’s about all I’ve got to say. Think it over. I and my pards are going to the Star-A ranch with Perry, and Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar and the sky pilot. Try to interfere with us at your own peril.”