ny chance to talk to Hardman. But his game's as plain as that
big nose of his."

"Well, what is it?" snapped Pan.

"Shore he'll grab our hosses, or most of them," returned Blinky.

"You mean straight horse stealing?"

"Shore, thet's what it'll be. But the hell of it is, Hardman's outfit
helped make the drive."

"No!"

"You bet they did. Thet's what galls me. Either they was layin' fer
the day or just happened to ride up on us, an' figgered it out. Mebbe
thet's where Mac New comes in."

"Blink, I don't believe he's double-crossed us," declared Pan stoutly.

"Wal, he's an outlaw."

"No difference. I just don't believe it. But we'll find out.... So
you think Hardman will claim most of our horses or take them all?"

"I shore do."

"Blink, if he gets _one_ of our horses it'll be over my dead body. You
fellows sure showed yellow clear through--to let them ride in here
without a fight."

"Hellsfire!" cried Blinky, as if stung. "What you think? ... There
wasn't a one of us thet had a single lead left fer our guns. Thet's
where the rub comes in. We played their game. Wasted a lot of shells
on them damn broomies! So how could we fight?"

"Ah-huh!" groaned Pan, appalled at the fatality of the whole incident.

"Pan, I reckon you'd better swaller the dose, bitter as it is, an'
bluff Hardman into leavin' us a share of the hosses."

"Say, man, are you drunk or loco?" flashed Pan scornfully.

With that he whirled on his heel and strode toward where Hardman,
Purcell, and another man stood somewhat apart from the lounging riders.

Slowly Blinky followed in Pan's footsteps, and then Mac New left the
group in the shade of the wall, and shuffled out into the sunlight.
His action was that of a forceful man, dangerous to encounter.

In the dozen rods or more that Pan traversed to get to Hardman he had
reverted to the old wild spirit of the Cimarron. That cold dark wind
which had at times swept his soul returned with his realization of the
only recourse here. When he had walked the streets of Marco waiting
for Matthews to prove his mettle or show his cowardice, he had gambled
on the latter. He had an uncanny certainty that he had only to bluff
the sheriff. Here was a different proposition. It would take
bloodshed to halt this gang.

As Pan approached, Purcell swung around square with his hands low, a
significant posture. Hardman evinced signs of extreme nervous tension.
The third man walked apart fr