A sharp, deep-throated order to three of his braves was rapidly obeyed, and in a few minutes more the miners heard their Captain's voice, excitedly,
"Halt! They've brought out the boys. They've stopped firing."
It was precisely so. There were Bill and his two mates, on foot, with their arms tied behind them, and before each stood a Lipan, with his lance levelled, ready to strike.
"That's plain, boys. They've got their lesson. Don't want any more. Want a talk. They'll kill those three if we don't hold up."
"We've only lost two, Cap, and we've laid out more'n a dozen of them."
"Save the boys!"
"No fault of their'n."
"Have a talk, Cap."
"We'll have to give up something if we do. They'll never give us back the outfit."
"You know what we want. We're close to the border now."