gun-barrels--and then their hands went up; their faces held a
particularly foolish expression that must have been amusing to
the men behind the guns.

One of the gun-barrels lowered and a hand reached out and
quietly took possession of Tamale's reins; the owner of the hand
got calmly into Bob's saddle. Bob gritted his teeth. It was
evident their movements had been planned minutely in advance,
for, once settled to his liking, the fellow tested the stirrups
to make sure they were the right length, and raising his gun
pointed it at the two in a business-like manner that left no
doubt of his meaning. Whereupon the man behind them came forward
and appropriated Old Ironsides to his own use.

"Too bad we had to interrupt Sunday-school," he remarked
ironically. "You can go ahead with the meetin' now--the
collection has been took up." He laughed without any real mirth
in his voice and gathered up the reins. "If yuh want our
horses, they're up on the bench. I don't reckon they'll ever
turn another cow, but such as they are you're quite welcome.
Better set still, boys, till we get out uh sight; one of us'll
keep an eye peeled for yuh. So long, and much obliged." They
turned and rode warily down the slope.

"Now, wouldn't that jar yuh?" asked Bob in deep disgust His
hands dropped to his sides; in another second he was up and
shooting savagely. "Get behind the rock, Bud," he commanded.

Just then a rifle cracked, and Bob toppled drunkenly and went
limply to the grass.