Horn, in
answer to a low threat from his victim.

Laramie having told Van Horn to mount, turned to the Texas men: "Which
one of you boys wants to carry the rifles over to that big cottonwood
for me?" he asked, pointing toward the creek.

"I do," responded the nearest man, promptly.

"Don't you do it, Tex," called out Stone.

The Texan eyed his foreman: "Why not?" he demanded. "Ain't I been
ridin' this country all day with a man squealin' for a drink as loud as
I was, an' had his pocket full of it all the time? I'm through with my
job."

Laramie broke in without losing the precious moment: "Who set my house
on fire, Tex?" he demanded.

The Texan nodded in Stone's direction: "Ask him."

"He'd lie, Tex; I'm askin' you."

The rawboned horseman hesitated: "I'll talk that over with you when I'm
rested," he drawled.

"Go get your Colt's out of the wagon, Tex." Laramie pointed the way.
"Pick out the guns of the other two boys and tote them over to that
tree with you. The boys'll ride over there after you. Tell Barb I'll
give him twenty-four hours to get every hoof, round or split, that
belongs to me back to the Falling Wall--failing which I'll be over to
talk to him privately. Will you do that, Tex?"

"I sure will."

"These rustlers here," he looked toward Stone and Van Horn, "won't be
able to carry messages for awhile. They're ridin' to town with me.
Bill," he added, turning to Bradley, "dump their rifles into the wagon
and follow on along."

"What's this?" snapped Van Horn with an oath. "Going to town with you!
Not on your life."

"You're headed for jail tonight, Harry; that's all. You boys," he
spoke to the Texans and gave no heed to the oaths and abuse from Van
Horn, "ride down to the cottonwood and get your guns from Tex. There's
two good trails from here to town and plenty of room on both. Today
I'm riding the Double-draw bridge. If any of you are going to town,
take the other trail. Lead off now, you two."

He spoke to Van Horn and Stone, both mounted, and with the two headed
for town, and the Texans started up the road, Laramie climbed into his
own saddle. Not until then did he look around for Kate. She had
disappeared.

CHAPTER XXXII

A MESSAGE FROM TENISON

Speeding in a panic from what she feared might happen behind her at any
moment; soon out of sight of the scene, but with ears pitched for the
sound of a shot, and a volley of shots; her head swimming with
excitement an