"We'll leave the ponies at the entrance, same as Bud did his," suggested Old Billee.
"All alone?" asked Nort. "Some of those fellows may sneak up in our rear and make off with our mounts."
"They won't be unguarded," declared Billee, who was too old a fighter to make the mistake of leaving his rear open to attack. "I'll have a couple of the hands stay with the horses."
"Not me you won't!" shouted Yellin' Kid. "Me, I'm goin' to fight!
I'm not goin' to be nurse-maid for a lot of cow ponies!"
"Me either!" declared Snake.
"Order in the ranks!" snapped Billee with blazing eyes. "I'm in charge here, by the instructions of the boss, and I won't have anybody saying what they will and won't do! You heard me!"
He was as different from the usual mild Old Billee Dobb as chalk is from cheese. He was in his element and he knew it.
"No offense, chief," said Yellin' Kid, humbly and in subdued tones.
"But I do want to get a shot at these fellers!"
"I wonder if Del Pinzo can be back of this gang?" mused Nort as he rode beside his brother toward the glen.
"I wouldn't put it past him," answered Dick. "But I thought he was in jail."