sighted, all you need to do is pull your guns and open your
game."

"Mr. Quirk," said the deputy, "you are a fugitive from justice,
and I can legally take you wherever I find you. If you resist
arrest, all the worse, as it classes you an outlaw. Now, my
advice is--"

But the sentence was never finished, for coming down the divide
like a hurricane was a band of horsemen, who, on sighting us,
raised the long yell, and the next minute Dave Sponsilier and
seven of his men dashed up. The boys opened out to avoid the
momentum of the onslaught, but the deputies sat firm; and as
Sponsilier and his lads threw their horses back on their haunches
in halting, Dave stood in his stirrups, and waving his hat
shouted, "Hurrah for Don Lovell, and to hell with the sheriff and
deputies of Ford County!" Sponsilier and I were great friends, as
were likewise our outfits, and we nearly unhorsed each other in
our rough but hearty greetings. When quiet was once more
restored, Dave continued: "I was in Dodge last night, and Bob
Wright put me next that the sheriff was going to take possession
of two of old man Don's herds this morning. You can bet your
moccasins that the grass didn't grow very much while I was
getting back to camp. Flood and The Rebel took fifteen men and
went to Quince's support, and I have been scouting since dawn
trying to locate you. Yes, the sheriff himself and five deputies
passed up the trail before daybreak to arrest Forrest and take
possession of his herd--I don't think. I suppose these strangers
are deputy sheriffs? If it was me, do you know what I'd do with
them?"