“Don’t you believe it. The sheriff would have to catch the boys first, and they know every ravine and stream and gully in the mountains, and every trail in the woods, and if Ricketts was sacrificed in the scrimmage, I, for one, wouldn’t be chief mourner. These boys might not be much good in Chicago, but they are very useful out here. A scoundrel like Ricketts, who tries legally to steal a man’s property, takes big chances and runs a lot of risks, and no one knows that better than himself. He has taken advantage of my being away from home.”
“It’s not too late yet to carry out your plan. Although your men hold to their resolve to visit Bleachers on the day of the sale, they have promised not to shoot until I give the word of command.”
“They will be there, then, after all?” cried Armstrong, eagerly.
“Certainly; I have engaged them as bodyguard, because, as I told you, I shall have a considerable sum of money in my possession, and I don’t wish to be detached from that cash, either by Chicago methods, or those of Bleachers. I want the sale to go on without any disturbance.”
“What’s your plan?”
“I intend to buy the ranch.”
“Do you imagine for a moment that you’ll be allowed to?”
“How can they prevent me if I’ve got the cash in my pocket?”
“Why, first thing they’ll do is to postpone the sale.”