p were
creeping farther into the tent, at the flap of which they had been
sitting. The lads saw weapons in their hands, but saw no evidence that
the fellows intended using them. Sandy gave Will a nudge on the
shoulder.

"Do you think those fellows are all right?" he asked. "Looks funny to
see them crawling out of sight as soon as danger shows!"

"It does look strange," Will admitted, "but look here," he added,
pointing to the boy's bandaged shoulder, "you ought to be in one of the
tents yourself. You're not fit to be out here if any fighting takes
place."

"Huh, I guess this bum shoulder won't prevent me from shooting
straight!" declared Sandy. "Say," he continued, "I've a great mind to go
in where those fellows are and ask what they're hiding away for."

"I just believe," George cut in, "that those fellows lied when they said
Johnson asked them to come here. You remember how they told two stories,
don't you? One that they had been told to tell us that reinforcements
would be sent in, and the other that they had been asked to stop and see
us on their way into the mountains."

"We're certainly in a nice box if we've got enemies in our own camp,"
Will grumbled. "In that case, as soon as the shooting begins we'll be
between two fires. By the way," he went on, "where's Tommy?"

"Gone after bear meat for breakfast," answered George.

"He's always dodging away without any one knowing what's in his mind!"?
declared Will, rather crossly. "I guess he's got some idea above bear
steak for breakfast, right now. Anyhow," the boy added, "if Tommy is
well armed these cowboy fly-cops will also be between two fires when the
battle opens. That will help some."

"Perhaps there won't be any battle," suggested George. "Those fellows
don't seem to be in any hurry about starting in, anyway."

"Oh, they'll never swallow the bluff they got from the train robbers,"
Will insisted. "As soon as the story is told outside they'll be roasted
by the whole state. Just think of it!" the boy went on. "They come in
here to capture two train robbers and get held up the first thing. If
there's a live editor in the state he'll print a faked-up picture of the
six men with their hands up in the air and their guns lying at their
feet."

"Perhaps they saw the two strangers come in," suggested Sandy. "In that
case they may be doing a little guessing as to whether the newcomers
won't help us in case of trouble."

"But these two men were here before we