Bliz let loose of his skillet and grabbed his short shot-gun from its rack beside the door. Some one had ridden up to the porch, and now was coming up the steps to the door.
Bliz stepped back out of line with the door and motioned to Sleepy to open it. Some one knocked loudly. Sleepy grasped the knob and drew the door open, keeping himself behind it, while Jake Blue and Blondy Hagen stood there and blinked into the muzzle of Skelton’s riot-gun and wished they had postponed their visit.
“Put dud-down that gun,” stuttered Blue, trying to force himself to be brave. “You—you——”
Blondy Hagen’s hands went up above his head, and he squinted dismally. His heart was not in this job at all.
“Whatcha want here, Blue?” asked Skelton.
Jake Blue tore his eyes away from the menacing gun barrels and squinted at Hashknife and Sleepy.
“I want them two,” he replied. “I’ve got warrants for their arrest for horsestealin’.”
He started to reach for his pocket, but changed his mind. Such a move might be suicide. Hashknife walked over to the door and looked at Blue.
“Who swore out that warrant, sheriff?”
“Spot Easton.”