you claim that you ever made legal entry of your asserted title here?"

"Maybe we didn't," grunted the spokesman. But we've known of
this place for 'most a year Today we came to settle here, stake
off our claims, file our entry and begin living here. But we
found these benzine trotters on the ground.

"But these people state that they have made legal claim here," Tom
urged.

"We have," insisted the portly man in black.

"If there is any dispute over the facts, my friends," Tom continued,
turning once more to the four men, "then it looks like a case for the
courts to settle. But if these people, who appear to be from the
East, have acquired legal title here then they'll be able to hold it,
and you four men are only intruders here. Why, the matter begins to
look rather clear---even for a Nevada dispute."

"These folks are going to move, or we'll topple 'em over and move
'em ourselves," insisted the leader.

"Men," rejoined Reade, "I'm afraid you're not cool enough to settle
this case fairly. We'll call in a few of the neighbors and try to
get the facts of the case. We'll-----"

"Neighbors?" jeered the leader of the quartette. "Where are you
going to find any?"

"Right near at hand," Tom proposed. "Much nearer than you think.