“The Major’s got a pile o’ rich ore stored in his house. There’s a bunch o’ fellers agoin’ to get it, an’ they’ll shoot to kill as sure as God made hell.”
Roderick mastered his emotion of surprise.
“When is this to take place, Scotty?” he asked quietly.
“Any night after tonight. Tonight they’ve fixed to square accounts with some sheep herders over Jack Creek way. Then they’re goin’ for the Major.”
Roderick gripped the other’s hand.
“Scotty, you have done me the biggest service in the world,” he said earnestly. “But one thing more—who are these men?”
“I dassn’t tell. They’d plug me full o’ holes the moment I got out o’ here.”
Roderick felt perplexed. He did not like to press for information that might seem to threaten danger for Scotty himself.
The latter was watching his face furtively.
“I know you’re straight—you’ll never give a feller like me away if I tell you one name.”