“What is it, Jack?” asked June anxiously.
“The big steal!” he exclaimed. “I know the answer now, June. Reber’s own men are stealing from him—taking a big herd over the West Fork pass. That’s why they stole yuh, don’t yuh see? They didn’t want anybody here to see ’em. That’s why there wasn’t anybody here, June.
“That’s why they’ve blocked the road against Reber. McLeese had this framed before Reber fired him. God knows how many of Reber’s men are in on it. They’re tryin’ to send ’em over the pass before anybody can get out here to catch ’em.”
“But—but they know we’re here,” panted June.
“They sure do,” said Jack bitterly. “Keep out of line with the windows. I’ve got the doors fastened and I’ve got two guns. But our best chance is to lay low. We know too much for them to let us get out alive, June. Their plans were upset when Reber sent you out here.”
“But won’t they be in such a hurry to get the cattle over the pass that they’ll leave us alone?”
June’s answer came in the form of a bullet, which smashed out a pane of glass and thudded into the rear wall of the room. Jack drew June back against the wall, and they edged their way to the front of the room.
“Flat on the floor under the windows,” said Jack. “They’ll not shoot that low.”
A shower of glass sprayed over them when a bullet tore through the window casing.
“Shootin’ wild,” said Jack easily. “Listen to the cattle.”