"It's all right," declared Ferrers indifferently, as he rose to his
full height, then discovered the path by which Tom had descended.
"The critters took to cover as soon as they heard me making a noise."

With that explanation Ferrers slid rather than walked down into the
gully.

"Where are the rest of your men?" questioned Mr. Dunlop, eagerly.

"I'm all there are," explained Jim, "except one pesky little puffer
of cigarettes. He's hiding his stained fingers somewhere in the
brush half a mile from here."

"There are no more men to your crowd?" spoke Dr. Dunlop anxiously.

"None," Tom broke in. "My order to the boy, Drew, was intended
by way of conversation to interest your four callers."

"Then, indeed, we must look out for an ambush," said one of Mr.
Dunlop's companions, a man of thirty.

"And you will be in real danger every minute of the time," said
Dunlop's daughter, fearfully. "Father, why can't you come out
of this wild country? Is the money that you may make out here worth
all the risk?"

"Yes," answered Mr. Dunlop, with a firmness that seemed intended
to settle the matter.