This startling command fell upon the boys' ears with a sharpness that fairly took their breath away. One moment they seemed to be absolutely alone, and the next found themselves facing two horsemen who had dashed from a thicket close by.
The summons came again:
"Hold up, thar!"
CHAPTER XIX
BOB LOSES
The astounded Ramblers gazed in consternation at Tom Smull and Alf Griffin. They saw the lumbermen's revolvers flashing in the moonlight, and a single glance convinced them that the two were in deadly earnest.
A touch of Tom Smull's quirt sent his pony almost into that of Bob Somers', but he jerked the animal around in time.
"I reckon ye won't be so confounded sassy, now, pard!" he exclaimed, in a voice ringing with triumph.
Bob Somers looked into the barrel of a revolver held close to his head, while Alf Griffin, waving a huge weapon from side to side, had the rest of the crowd covered.