, but a fraction of a second
too slow, for the hand of Dan darted out and his knuckles struck the
wrist of the old cattleman. The Colt rattled on the floor. He lunged
after his weapon, but the voice of Buck stopped him short.

"The game's up, Dad," he growled, "that older feller is Tex Calder."

The name, like a blow in the face, straightened old Daniels and left
him white and blinking. Whistling Dan turned his back on the father
and deftly bound up the lacerated arm of Buck.

"In the name o' God, Buck," moaned Sam, "what you been tryin' to do in
here?"

"What you'd do if you had the guts for it. That's Tex Calder an' this
is Dan Barry. They're on the trail of big Jim. I wanted to put 'em off
that trail."

"Look here," said Calder, "how'd you know us?"

"I've said my little say," said Buck sullenly, "an' you'll get no more
out of me between here an' any hell you can take me to."

"He knew us when his father talked about Satan an' Black Bart," said
Dan to Tex. "Maybe he's one of Silent's."

"Buck, for God's sake tell 'em you know nothin' of Silent," cried old
Daniels. "Boy, boy, it's hangin' for you if they get you to Elkhead
an' charge you with that!"

"Dad, you're a fool," said Buck. "I ain't goin' down on my knees to
'em. Not me."

Calder, still keeping Buck covered with his gun, drew Dan a little to
one side.

"What can we do with this fellow, Dan?" he said. "Shall we give up the
trail and take him over to Elkhead?"

"An' break the heart of the ol' man?"

"Buck is one of the gang, that's certain."

"Get Silent an' there won't be no gang left."

"But we caught this chap in red blood--"

"He ain't very old, Tex. Maybe he could change. I think he ain't been
playin' Silent's game any too long."

"We can't let him go. It isn't in reason to do that."

"I ain't thinkin' of reason. I'm thinkin' of old Sam an' his wife."

"And if we turn him loose?"

"He'll be your man till he dies."

Calder scowled.

"The whole range is filled with these silent partners of the
outlaws--but maybe you're right, Dan. Look at them now!"

The father was standing close to his son and pouring out a torrent of
appeal--evidently begging him in a low voice to disavow any knowledge
of Silent and his crew, but Buck shook his head sullenly. He had given
up hope. Calder approached them.

"Buck," he said, "I suppose you know that you could be hung for what
you've tried to do tonight. If the law wouldn't hang you a lynching