"Well," went on Perry, "have you got a gun, or can you get one?"
Tubbits and Ratty Spangler grew morbidly apprehensive.
"Looky here, Dace," demurred Tubbits, "don't let Clip go and do anything rash."
"Don't be a fool," snapped Perry. "I reckon I've got some sense left. Old Peg-leg drew a cannon on us, but I'm too well up in law to advise Clip to pull a gun on anybody—even Matt King." His voice grew friendly and confidential as he went on talking with Clipperton. "Can you get a pistol and stuff it in your pocket when you come to the try-out this afternoon, Clip?"
"Yes," was the reply. "What do you want me to do with it?"
Perry turned to the boys behind.
"Jog along, you fellows," said he; "Clip and I have got business to talk over. And mind," he added, as Tubbits, Spangler and the rest moved off ahead, "keep mum about what you've already heard."
"Mum it is," said the cross-country squad obediently, and drew away from the plotters.
"Matt King had better take to the cliffs and the cactus," remarked Ratty Spangler, with a chuckle. "Ginger, there's going to be doings at the try-out this afternoon. What do you s'pose they want with a gun, Tubbits?"