The boy was breathing so hard and his rage made him so incoherent that
Lannis took him by the shoulder and shook him:
"What next?" demanded the Trooper impatiently. "Tell your story and quit thinking how you were misused!"
"He told me to stay in the shanty for an hour or he'd do for me good," cried Fry. … "Once I got up and went to the door; and there he stood by the brook, wolfing my lunch with both hands. I tell you he cursed and drove me, like a dog, inside with his big pistol — my God — like a dog. …
"Then, the next time I took a chance he was gone. … And I beat it here to get me a rifle——" The boy broke down and sobbed: "He drove me around — like a dog — he did——"
"You leave that to me," interrupted Lannis sharply. And, to Wier: "You and George had better get a gun apiece. That fellow might come back here or go to Harrod Place if we starve him out."
Wier said to Fry: "Go up to Harrod Place and tell Jansen your story and bring back two 45-70's. … And quit snivelling. … You may get a shot at him yet."
Lannis had already ridden down to the brook. Now he jumped his horse across, pulled up, called back to Wier:
"I think our man is making for Drowned Valley, all right. My mate,
Stormont, telephoned me that some of his gang are there, and that Mike
Clinch and his gang have them stopped on the other side! Keep your eye
on Harrod Place!"
And away he cantered into the North.
* * * * *