"They're taking him to Virginia City on a charge of arson, Missoo. Hoyt's there!"
Missoo understood in a moment, and lifted his hand to still the roar of voices that rose on the announcement made by Bill. Silence came at once. They all knew Missoo would waste no words then.
"I know all about it, boys," he said. "Gent mustn't go ter Virginny City, nohow. Bill, how many on 'em?"
"Five."
"Ten men ter go with me after Gent," continued Missoo.
And Bill wondered at the stern, quiet way of the man. Every man there was eager to go, and Missoo saw it.
"All right, boys! Ev'ry man thet kin git a horse let him go. And a horse fer me. No time ter spare. Quick!"
In fifteen minutes a dozen of the best mounted, led by Missoo, who should not have been out of his room, rode out of the town in the midst of the wildest excitement. Fully fifty men straggled behind as best they could, and perhaps half as many more followed on foot.
"We'll bring him back, boys, if we have ter go ter Virginny City an' razee the town," said Missoo.
And the answer was a yell that made Bill sure that Missoo meant what he said and was taken at his word by his followers.