armor or kicking hoofs, so that they sunk with their laden masters in the swirling water.

“Get back,” Lang shrieked in terror, but although the water had reached their side, the main part of it found a lower outlet, and it flowed off among the boulders. However it was deep enough so that there was no evidence of what it concealed, and the four who had witnessed the horrible tragedy stared mutely at one another.

“I tell you I’m dreaming,” Mills repeated.

“Let’s get out of here,” cried Lang, glancing about him fearfully.

“How are we going to do it?”

“Follow the stream around to the other side,” Jim suggested.

“Say, what in—”

“You needn’t say it,” Jim snapped, or rather barked. “Face about and get going. Make it lively—”

“You brats—”

“Save those little pleasantries for later, old man,” Jim ordered. “It’s your turn to lead this party—”

“I’ll be killed—”

“Surely,” Bob cut in. “You’ll get what you promised us if you don’t do as you are told. The first thing is to relieve yourself of your weapons, all of them. Turn your pockets inside out, both of you.”

“Well—”

“Don’t wait.” Bob pressed forward, the gun pointing straight at Mills’ belt and in terror the fellow threw up his hands. “I told you to turn your pockets inside out, and take off your gun belt. Do it quick or I’ll shoot it off. My folks taught me to use a gun when they showed me how to handle a spoon, and right now I’ve got a lot against you; my fingers are itching to press the spring, besides it would be no end easier for Buddy and me to get out of this place alone. We’re only taking you along because we like your company—”

“We’d better tie them up and leave them here,” Jim suggested, although he had no such intention.

“Don’t do that—don’t do that—” Lang’s teeth chattered with fright as he pleaded, and he hastily turned his pockets wrong side out, also removed his 

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