"What are you driving us into that hole in the rocks for?" demanded Matt.
"We like yer comp'ny so all-fired well," answered Jacks, with a hoarse laugh, "that we're goin' ter keep ye with us all night. Arter it gits dark, we kin hang onter ye easier if ye're bottled up in that cut-out."
"You're a nice pair of grafters—I don't think," flared Chub. "Somebody's goin' to settle for this business, and the more you pile it on the more you'll pay."
"We're able ter pay all we'll have ter," grinned Jacks, "but jest now you're follerin' my orders, sabe? Chase 'em in, Bisbee," he added, to his companion.
"Shoo!" said Bisbee, and started forward, waving his weapon.
"You're a couple of cowards!" yelled Chub, doubling up his fists. "You wouldn't dare shoot!"
"Come on, Chub," said Matt quietly, taking his chum's arm and leading him into the notch. "We'll have our innings later."
"But I don't want to be hung up in here all night," demurred Chub. "There's no tellin' what kind of a fix dad is in. We ought to be hunting for him."
"Don't fret. They've left your father so he'll be all right until you can find him, even if you can't take up the hunt until to-morrow. Just let 'em think their bluff is working, that's all."
Bisbee, with the revolver on his knees, had taken up his position at the front of the notch. From this position, even after it grew dark, he would be able to keep the boys from emerging from the cut-out.