"Why, hello, boys," he greeted cheerfully. But for the rifle
you never would have guessed he knew their errand.

"Hello, Lauman," answered Park, matching him for cheerfulness.
Then:

"We rode over to hang them Wagners." Lauman grinned. "I hate to
disappoint yuh, Park, but I've kinda set my heart on doing that
little job myself. I'm the one that caught 'em, and if you'd
followed my trail the last month you'd say I earned the
privilege."

"Maybe so," Park admitted pleasantly, "but we've got a little
personal matter to settle up with those jaspers. Bob MacGregor
was one of us, yuh remember."

"I'll hang 'em just as dead as you can," Lauman argued.

"But yuh won't do it so quick," Park lashed back. "They're
spoiling the air every breath they draw. We want 'em, and I
guess that pretty near settles it."

"Not by a damn sight it don't! I've never had a man took away
from me yet, boys, and I've been your sheriff a good many years.
You hike right back to camp; yuh can't have 'em."

Thurston could scarcely realize the deadliness of their purpose.
He knew them for kind-hearted, laughter-loving young fellows,
who would give their last dollar to a friend. He could not
believe that they would resort to violence now. Besides, this