Part 36 (1/2)
Job Haskers nodded, and slowly and cautiously the pair crawled over the rocks until they gained a position close to the three men. Then they settled back, to listen to whatever might be said.
Inside of half an hour Link Merwell and Job Haskers gained all the information they desired. They learned that the three men were Sol Blugg and his cohorts. The wounded man was Staver, and he had been shot through the hand by Tom Dillon. He was very angry and willing to do almost anything to square accounts. The men were sure that the Dillon party and the Blower party were on the trail of a new find of gold and wanted to get in ”on the ground floor,” as they expressed it.
”They can't do nuthin' to me about tryin' to git the hosses,” said Staver. ”It's only Dillon's word against mine--an' you all know I got shot in the hand by accident,” and he winked suggestively.
”Sure, I done that myself,” said Blugg, and laughed. ”n.o.body took their hosses--so far as we know.”
”I guess the new strike o' gold must be near the old Landslide Mine,”
said Larry Jaley. ”Maybe it's the old mine itself.”
”We'll soon know, if we watch 'em close enough,” returned Sol Blugg. And then they continued to talk, while Staver dressed his wounded hand, which, fortunately for him, was not very badly hurt.
Link Merwell caught Job Haskers by the arm and pulled him back.
”I've got an idea!” he whispered, his eyes brightening with sudden expectation. ”Why can't we join these men and go after the Morr crowd with them? It will give us a chance to get back at those fellows.”
”No, I've had enough of this business,” replied the former teacher of Oak Hall. ”I am going back to town as fast as I can, and then to the East.”
”Yes, but----” began Link, when he stopped short. Haskers's foot had shoved a round stone and now this rattled over the rocks, creating considerable noise.
”Who's that!” roared Sol Blugg, and leaped to his feet, drawing his pistol as he did so. ”Ho, look there! Hands up, or I'll fire!” he yelled, as he discovered those who had been in hiding.
CHAPTER XXII
DAVE AND THE MOUNTAIN LION
”Don't fire, I beg of you! We--we are friends! Don't fire! Please put down that pistol, do!”
It was Job Haskers who called out in this fas.h.i.+on, as he raised his hands high in the air. He was seized with a chill, and shook from head to foot.
Link Merwell was also agitated, and for the instant tried to back away.
Perhaps, now that Sol Blugg had spoken so harshly, the youth realized that he was not such a kind-hearted fellow as Abe Blower had proved to be.
”Come out here, where we can see you!” cried Blugg. ”Larry, got yer pistol?”
”I sure have,” responded Larry Jaley, with a wicked grin.
”There is no need to do any shooting,” said Link Merwell.
”You were spyin' on us,” growled Staver.
”Who are you? Come here and give an account o' yourselves,” ordered Sol Blugg.
There was no help for it now, and, rather awkwardly, with their hands still upraised, Job Haskers and Link Merwell stumbled over the rocks to where the three men had been resting and talking.
”Humph, a tenderfoot!” muttered the leader of the trio, as he inspected the former teacher of Oak Hall. ”I don't reckon he's goin' to do us any harm.” He turned to Merwell. ”Who are you, sonny?”