“Yore end of the affair is only interested in justice,” corrected Chuck Ring. “Don’t be so civilized, Al.”
“I guess that’s right,” laughed Merkle. “It’s easy to overlook that angle of it.”
They made no attempt at concealment, but rode in at the lower end of the swale. Scotty saw them and stood up among the rocks, calling to them; after which he clawed his way through the brush to the clearing.
“Where’s yore horse?” asked Slim.
“Aw, he’s back along the railroad fence. Anyway, that’s where he was the last time I seen him.”
As rapidly as possible Scotty told them what had happened to him.
“Were they trying to kill you, McKay?” asked Merkle.
“Well, I dunno what was on their mind at the time,” said Scotty seriously. “It had all the earmarks of intent to kill, Mer-r-rkle.”
“And yuh didn’t see anybody, eh?” queried Slim anxiously.
“I did not. Ye missed the sight of your life. I tell ye, I was hangin’ by my elbows, without any foothold whatever, and I upended myself over the bank and under that wire so fast that I surprised myself. Look at the back of me shirt, will yuh?”