A fierce battle was about to be waged, when a clatter of hoofs, together with a loud yell, caused all eyes to be suddenly turned toward the mountain slope.
"Hey! Leave them fellers alone, or every hair on yer heads'll git blowed off!"
Men and boys recognized that gruff voice and the thick-set figure which sat astride a weary-looking mustang.
"By all that's wonderful; it's old Cap Slater!" yelled Tim Lovell.
CHAPTER XXII
CAP TAKES A HAND
It was indeed old Cap Slater who finally came to a halt facing them, and his appearance created such intense astonishment that hostilities were instantly forgotten.
All stared at the burly captain as though some apparition had suddenly risen before their eyes.
"Wal, wal, if there ain't actooally the old feller!" cried Pete in accents of the deepest wonderment. "I never s'picioned as how he'd be mean nuff ter hev went an' follered us."