for his coming in the presence of
the entire party, and waited patiently in one corner of the room until
it should be possible to beckon the leader out of doors.

"Wright may think we're whipped," Billings was saying; "but that's where
he makes a big mistake. He can't drive us out of this town, no matter
how much he may blow, an' it won't be many days before we'll show what's
what."

"There's little chance for us the way things look now," one of the party
said, with a laugh.

"How do you know? The folks 'round here have seen what I can do, an'
they'll soon find out that there's a good deal of fight left."

As he said this Billings looked first at one and then another to note
the effect of his bold words, and in doing so chanced to see Skip, who
immediately made a series of what he intended should be mysterious
gestures.

"What's the matter with you?" the man asked, angrily; but instead of
replying, Skip placed his finger on his lips and quickly left the room.

It was several moments before the leader understood he was wanted, and
when this fact dawned upon him he followed, meeting the boy a few yards
from the entrance.

"Was you cuttin' up them monkey shines for me?" he asked in a surly
tone.

"Of course."

"Well, what's wanted?"

"You jest said as how you'd like to get square with the company."

"S'posen I did? Does that concern you?"

"P'raps I heard somethin' 'round to the store you'd want to know."

"Say, if you've got anything to tell, out with it, for I can't fool away
my time with you."

"First I've got a trade to make."

"Talk quick."

"Do you know the new breaker boy? The one what's so thick with Wright
an' Joe Brace?"

"Yes."

"I want to get square with him, an' if you'll help me do it I'll tell
what I heard a lot of 'em saying."

"Was it anything I'd like to know?"

"It'll show jest how you can get the best of the whole crowd."

"Then I'll do what I can, an' be glad of the chance, 'cause I've got a
little score to settle with him myself."

Skip no longer hesitated; but repeated in detail all he had heard while
hiding in the store, Billings listening with closest attention.

"That's the best piece of news I've heard for a year, my boy," the
latter said, "an' you sha'n't be the loser by tellin' me. If you've got
the nerve to do a little work after everything is ready, both the
breaker boss an' this new feller shall be where they can't help
themselves."

The leader of the regula