"Well, we can order 'em off—that is, order the Greasers off," replied Bud. "Not much use talking to sheep, I reckon."
"Nor to a Greaser, either," murmured Snake. "One is about as bright and smart as the other."
"Anyhow," resumed Bud, "we can't do anything until they start something."
"Not even if we know they're going to do it?" asked another of the cowboys who, meanwhile, had arrived from Diamond X ready for a fight.
"Not even then," answered Bud. "But once they cross the creek and land here, then we'll begin," and he looked to his gun.
"What'll we do with the sheep?" asked the cowboy. There seemed to be no doubt in the minds of the men as to what they would do with the Greasers.
"We'll have to dispose of 'em," said Bud regretfully. "It seems a pity, too, for the poor things haven't done any harm. But it's either their lives or those of our cattle. The two can't live on the same range, and the sheep have no right here."
"Shoot 'em and drive 'em back into the water if they try to swim across—is that it?" asked Dick.
"Yes, but hang it all!" cried Bud, "I hope that doesn't happen. I sure hate to do it!"
And to give them credit, the others felt the same way about it.