“I have nothing particular against you, Giles,” said the scout, addressing the dazed man, “although you were one of the three who captured Golightly and put him in the bear-trap and helped Hendricks get away to Phœnix in McGowan’s buckboard. You are liable in the eyes of the law, and you could be put through. Hendricks and Banks are in my hands, but they gave me information concerning the rendezvous of Bascomb and Bernritter, and, for doing so, I intend to give them their freedom. You also have a chance to earn your freedom, if you want to take advantage of it.”
“What’s the chance?” Giles asked eagerly.
“Can you go to the island and bring ashore the star-faced cayuses belonging to McGowan?”
“Bascomb and Bernritter won’t let me, I reckon.”
“Bascomb and Bernritter are as good as in the Phœnix jail this minute. If they make any more trouble it will go all the harder with them. Go to the island and get the two horses. If the harness is on the island, see that it is on the horses. Do this, and when I turn Hendricks and Banks loose you can go with them.”
“Let me have one o’ my guns,” pleaded Giles.
“Nary a gun, Giles. You’ll have to do this with your bare hands.”
“Waal, here goes.”
Giles sprang to the causeway and started across. A bullet was launched at him by Bascomb and Bernritter.