"Tom, you just ain't agoin' to do nothin' of the kind," said Ladd coolly.
Belding groaned and bowed his head.
"Laddy, you're right," he replied, presently. "I've got to stand it. I can't leave the women and my property. But it's sure tough. I'm sore way down deep, and nothin' but blood would ever satisfy me."
"Leave that to me an' Jim," said Ladd.
"What do you mean to do?" demanded Belding, starting up.
"Shore I don't know yet.... Give me a light for my pipe. An' Dick, go fetch out your Yaqui."
VIII
THE RUNNING OF BLANCO SOL
THE Yaqui's strange dark glance roved over the corral, the swinging gate with its broken fastenings, the tracks in the road, and then rested upon Belding.