son, "and if any of us take him to his place, it might arouse
suspicion."

"Yes!--what's the good of losing two men when one is all we need let
go?" added McLean.

"All right, all right!" said Jim. "Here's the flask, Mayor. Come on,
boys! Time's passing and we've a goodish bit to go yet."

CHAPTER XIV

The Round-Up

The remainder of the journey was made in silence, and without further
mishap. The thick of the crude trail was left behind and they got on
to the well-beaten highway, trudging along at a fast gait until they
came to the Snake Loop with its two roads--one leading for a mile or
so along the lower shore line; the other running round Big Horn
Hills.

Jim stopped at the forks.

"Say!--I'm thinking three of us had better go by one way and four of
us by the other;--just in case of accidents.

"McLean, Phil and I can go the low way. You four go by the high road.
We can wait for each other at the junction further on."

The crowd split up and parted.

Jim, Phil and McLean had only got along about half a mile, when they
stopped up at the sound of the fast beating of horse hoofs on the
highway behind them.

They listened intently.

"Coming from Redmans," whispered McLean.

"Run on ahead and get in among the bushes at the bend there," shouted
Jim. "I'll keep to the road, and whoever he may be I'll stop him as he
comes up. If he tries to beat me to it,--shoot! See your ropes are
O.K., Mack, for you might have to use them quick."

The two hurried ahead and disappeared. Jim kept jogging along in the
middle of the road, slowly and innocently.

The clatter of the oncomer grew louder and louder, and beat faster.

A horseman came tearing along at breakneck speed. When he was some
twenty paces off, Jim swung round, levelled his rifle and shouted.

"Stop! Throw up your hands! Quick!"

The horse drew back on its haunches and sprang up in fear, but the
rider had it in check and held his seat. He steadied his beast and put
his hands up slowly.

Jim went forward. As he drew closer he recognised the rider--Red
McGregor.

"Get down!" ordered Jim, smiling grimly to himself.

McGregor seemed to recognise Langford at the same time and, thinking
Jim was alone, took a chance.

His off hand lowered and he pulled a gun quickly, but a shot and a
flash from the side of the road were quicker still. His arm dropped
limply and he yelled in pain and surprise.

"Get down!" ordered Jim again.

"You be damned!