“Where’s the letter denying the entry?”
“Isn’t my word, the word of the land agent in Waterville, enough?”
“No.”
“You bet it isn’t!” exclaimed several voices.
“Well, it’s all you’ll get. I expected to meet opposition, so I came prepared. Deputy, I order you to arrest Phil and Ted Porter for trespass, and Andy Howe for interfering with a United States officer in the per—”
“Buncombe! There’s no such law!” declared Andy. “I’ll give you five minutes to get off E 1, Simmons, or—”
“We will arrest you for trespass,” exclaimed a stern voice.
Turning, the men and women who had been engrossed in the controversy between the station agent and the land officer, beheld two more men.
“Si Hopkins!” cried several voices, while others added:
“You come just in time, Si!”